Top 5 Academy products of Barcelona Football Club

Three time Ballon d’Or winner and superstar Lionel Messi, European Player of the Year Andres Iniesta, Playmaker Xavi, Pique, Puyol, Sergio Busquets, Pedro and Victor Valdes are all playing in the top flight for the Barcelona first team, winning titles and love for the club. But how did they turn into first class prolific players?

Once upon a time, they were all once a part of the FC Barcelona Academy school known as La Masia. The academy, better known as ‘Farm House’, have the most potentially viable players developing over the passage of time. Operating from Pre-Benjamin level from 6-8 years to the brightest Barcelona B, the academy is one of the most expensive in Europe, functioning at a cost of 5 million Euros a year and holds 60 players. Eusebio Sacristan has simply done a wonderful job in converting players to be professional by nature and helping them fulfil their dream and live up to their calibre.

According to me, the following 5 players have the brightest future with the first team:

5. Sergio Araujo

The 20-year old is a product of Boca Juniors, but now plays for Barcelona B. The number 22 player plays as a forward. He has been really consistent on the pitch and has been regularly earning a place in the starting 11 of the team. He’s got pace and is very clever in one-on-one situations. The gifted youngster has scored 3 goals for Barcelona from 15 games. The player has a combination of Alexis Sanchez’s playing style and Pedro’s pace. His performances has led to Argentinian national coach, Alejandro Sabella saying that his national call up won’t be far away.

A place in the first team of Barcelona looks imminent next season.

4. Ilie Sanchez

Ilie Sanchez (right)

Let’s begin with his qualities. He’s a versatile and tough defensive midfielder who can also operate as a right back. He’s shown good captaincy skills and contributes with a lot of through balls and crosses to his team mates. The 22-year old has represented Barca at the youth group right from the age of 5. After playing for Cornella for two seasons, he returned to the Blaugrana. His first season at Barcelona B has impressed the coaching staff and team to the extent that he was made a first team player.

His playing style reminds us of a typical Spanish lad who sustains the team strength and power. He has a playing style similar to Alex Song, dribbling the ball to quite a distance and crossing splendidly. Currently, Puyol is 34 years old and would retire in about two seasons, and Barca would miss a good captain. But no fear, because they can rely upon this young lad. His captaincy has made a great difference to the team. The ace was called by Pep Guardiola to the Barca pre-season matches.

3. Rafa Alcantara

The Brazilian midfielder was introduced to the Barcelona B at the tender age of 13. The 19 year old has 13 goals to his name from 66 games. He is the brother of Barca first team player Thiago. In January 2011, he made his professional debut with Barca B, coming on as a substitute in the Second division championship. He’s a tough guy who simply won’t tolerate any slip and slide from his team mates. Moreover, he’s a type of a player who would not go down from a simple push or a slide tackle. If he continues his amazing form,there’s no doubt he would be called up to Vilanova’s side.

2. Thiago Alacantra

Thiago has been the talk of the town recently as the rising star of Barcelona. In the B team, he scored three goals from 59 games. The 21 year old midfielder is the right choice for Barca’s tiki taka style of play. He’s got aerial skills and plays similar to Sergio Busquets. His source of inspiration is his father, Mazinho who was a World Cup winner with Brazil. He ended the 2010 season with 17 games for Barca B. He was part of the Barca squad which won La Liga in 2009, 2010 and 2011.

He was also a part of the 2011 UEFA super Cup and Club World Cup squad. Currently, he has played 51 games with 6 goals, which is not bad for a Barca B player. His true potential is yet to be unveiled.

1. Cristian Tello

The 21 year old attacker is currently one of the biggest prospect for Vilanova’s Barcelona. His quick pace has been been compared with the playing style of Spanish superstar David Villa. He is very clever in one-on-one situations. Though there was heavy criticism when he was selected to play in an El Clasico under Guardiola’s reign, he is now the thunder of the team and clubs are hot over his heels. Let’s not forget that he emerged from the grass-roots of Barcelona B team. It was because of the B team that we now see Tello in the main squad.

Tello made his first La Liga appearance on 28 January 2012 against Villareal. He appeared in the win over Spartak Moscow for Champions League group stage, where he was chosen as Man of the Match.

Vilanova – “Tello has never been on any list of players we wanted to move on. It was clear to us that he’d be staying with the first team. He is a player with some special characteristics, he’s young and he has to improve, but he has the ability to open up the pitch and to take a man on.There are very few players at that level.”