Laporta’s Grand Vision for Barcelona’s Future: A Dream of Homegrown Glory

The youth academy has regained prominence at Barcelona with Xavi at the helm. Lamine Yamal is becoming an undisputed starter, while Iñaki Peña has solidified his role as Marc André Ter Stegen’s guardian. New talents like Pau Curbasí have emerged, alongside familiar names like Marc Guiu, Héctor Fort, and Fermín López.

Under Xavi’s guidance, an increasing number of academy players have made their debut: Mika Marmol, Alvaro Sanzz, Ilias Akhomach, Estanis Pedrola, Marc Casadó, Chadi Riad, Ángel Alarcón, and Aleix Garrido. Add to them the brief return of Héctor Bellerín, as well as Ferran Jutglà, Álex Valle, and Mika Faye, who, though not strictly La Masia products, have passed through the ranks of Barça Atlètic.

Witnessing academy graduates thrive in the first team is a source of immense satisfaction for the Blaugrana faithful, and President Joan Laporta is no exception. He recognizes that the club’s greatest successes have come with a foundation of homegrown players. This forms a fundamental part of the rebuilding project entrusted to Xavi.

This sentiment was revealed in the latest episode of the Catalunya Radio podcast ‘Barça reservat,’ hosted by journalist Laia Tudel. It was disclosed that Laporta’s dream is to see a starting eleven composed entirely of academy graduates playing at Camp Nou before the end of his term.

The beautiful words of gratitude from Lamine to Xavi: “I will always be thankful” This dream was realized for the first time under the presidency of Sandro Rosell and the guidance of the late Tito Vilanova on November 25, 2012, in a match against Levante at the Ciutat de Valencia, where Barça secured a 4-0 victory. The lineup featured only one non-academy player, Dani Alves, who was replaced by Martín Montoya due to injury after 15 minutes.

Barça played 61 minutes with a lineup comprising Víctor Valdés, Martín Montoya, Gerard Piqué, Carles Puyol, Jordi Alba, Xavi Hernández, Sergio Busquets, Andrés Iniesta, Messi, Cesc Fàbregas, and Pedro Rodríguez. Adriano substituted Jordi Alba in the 76th minute.

Laporta outlined a hypothetical eleven of academy graduates that could inaugurate the new Camp Nou. The lineup includes players who joined at a young age, like Pedri and Vitor Roque.

In goal, Iñaki Peña, Diego Kochen, or Ander Astralaga. The defense would consist of Héctor Fort, Ronald Araujo, Alejandro Balde, and potentially Chadi Riad. In midfield, Pedri, Gavi, and Fermín López, with Marc Casadó as a backup. The forward line would feature Lamine Yamal, Vitor Roque, and Marc Guiu.