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Barcelona are not only one of the biggest clubs in world football but also a hub for producing talented footballers. The Catalan giants have always focused on their youth prospects, which reaped immense benefits for them in the past.
Barcelona's famed La Masia academy has continued to produce talent - some of which went on to become legends of the game. Footballers like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique came up from the academy and etched their name in football history.
Currently, Barcelona are enduring torrid times on and off the pitch. Their dire economic situation was evident from the fact that they could not keep players like Messi and Antoine Griezmann in the summer. Things have not improved on the pitch as a recent run of poor results saw their former boss Ronald Koeman sacked.
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Despite the challenging times, Barcelona have been fortunate to witness the rise of some of their young talents. On that note, let us take a look at
Top 5 youth prospects at Barcelona right now
#5 Sergino Dest
After enjoying a sensational season for Ajax, Sergino Dest arrived in Spain in 2020 with a lot of promise. It has been a mixed ride with Barcelona so far but Dest has proven to be effective and pivotal for the club.
Blessed with quick feet, Dest is a joy to watch when he is in the mood. A typical modern right full-back, the 21-year-old's explosive runs on the right flank makes him an asset for any team.
Dest can dribble past opponents with his pace and trickery but what separates him from the rest is his ability to link up with the wingers. Due to his offensive nature, he has also featured as a right-winger at times.
While Dest is making an impact as an attacking option, he still needs to improve on his defensive duties.
#4 Gavi
At just 17, Gavi has surprised the world with his immense talent. He has already made an incredible mark for both his club and country. The Spaniard became the youngest player to play for his country when he made his debut against Italy in the UEFA Nations League.
Like a typical La Masia prodigy, Gavi is technically proficient and extremely skillful on the ball. The Spanish wonderkid's passing range and vision is already attracting a lot of attention and winning him plaudits.
For his exploits, Gavi has already proved himself capable of being a starter for Barcelona. If he continues his meteoric rise, he will be among the top midfielders in the world in the near future.
#3 Eric Garcia
Already a regular name on the team sheet, Eric Garcia has proven himself to be a player Barcelona can rely upon. Garcia also delivered some majestic performances for Spain recently in the absence of the injured Sergio Ramos in defense.
Widely regarded as a promising centre-back, Barcelona was Garcia's destination after spending his teenage years at Manchester City. The Spaniard is excellent on the ball and times his tackles well which is why he is an asset at the back.
Despite his age, Garcia is an imposing presence in defense. The 20-year-old can anticipate opponents' moves with his tactical intelligence and is extremely aggressive in his marking.
It goes without saying that Garcia still has a lot to learn. He has shown the potential to only grow with experience and improve to be a future star.
#2 Pedri
Pedri has already been one of the best players in a subdued Barcelona team this campaign. He has all the hallmarks of a great midfielder and he has certainly exceeded all expectations with his splendid performances so far. For his exploits, Pedri is one of the candidates to win the Golden Boy award this year.
Blessed with superior tactical intelligence, Pedri is the pulse of the current Barcelona side. The 18-year-old can create and utilize space at will, ultimately dislodging defenses with his creativity. He is the current architect of Barcelona with his ability to dictate the tempo of the match.
Like Gavi, Pedri is also a typical La Masia graduate. He has all the skillset to be a midfield maestro like Xavi and Iniesta. It remains to be seen what they can achieve in the future.
#1 Ansu Fati
Ansu Fati is proving to be the most crucial player for Barcelona. In the absence of the likes of Messi and Griezmann, Fati has been delivering in front of goal. The Spaniard made an immediate impact after his return from injury and has racked up three goals and one assist in all competitions.
What separates Fati from the rest is his calm demeanor in the final third. The 18-year-old shows immense composure during the attacks, which makes him a nightmare for his opponents. In addition to his traits, Fati is a terrific finisher which is evident from his statistics.
For his caliber, the Catalan giants handed Messi's famous #10 kit to Fati after the Argentine's departure. The Spanish prodigy will surely end up as a legend if he keeps up his habit of consistently delivering majestic displays.
