6 breakthrough stars from Barcelona’s La Masia for 2020
La Masia has produced the greatest footballers in Barcelona’s history and with the start of a new decade, here is a look at 6 possible La Masia stars who could have a breakthrough season in 2020.
Barcelona are known for developing some of the greatest talents the world of football have ever seen, legendary players such as Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Pep Guardiola, Lionel Messi and many many more.
Barca’s youth academy, La Masia, is known for being one of the greatest youth academies in the world with many youngsters dreaming of enrolling there. It is known for preserving the club’s traditions and helping the players understand Blaugrana’s values.
Barca have always aimed to integrate Johan Cruyff’s philosophy of ‘Total Football’ in every gradate, an idea that any player on the field can take over a role besides their own.
Though there are many talented footballers in the current Blaugrana B squad, Here is a closer look at 6 youngsters who are likely to become a regular star for Barca in 2020,
#6 Ilaix Moriba (Central Midfielder)
Ilaix Moriba became famous at the age of 15 after his dominating performance against Real Madrid’s Juvenil B back in a pre-season tournament in 2018. A few years younger than his opposition, Moriba scored 2 goals in the first half; initially an audacious 25-yard attempt to secure the first and followed it up with a goal from a tight angle after beating two defenders. He completed his hattrick a few seconds after the start to the second half, when his team-mate rolled the ball to him from the center circle. Moriba, after a soft touch rolling the ball forward, spotted the Los Blancos goalkeeper out of his line and made a direct attempt at the goal hitting the crossbar and completing his hattrick in an outstanding fashion.
Regarding by many as the next Paul Pogba, Moriba is destined to be one of the greatest talents to come out of La Masia. With the new coach, Setien looking to include youngster Riqui Puig to his first-team squad, it could not only bring Moriba up to the B squad but also have him featured for the first-team in some occasions.
#5 Alex Collado (Attacking Midfielder)
At 20 years of age, Collado has already become one of the favorites to be promoted to the first-team squad having played 55 matches for the B squad, where he managed to score 9 goals along with 6 assists.
Alex initially was a youth player for local rivals, Espanyol, before joining the Catalans in 2009. He came through the ranks of La Masia, making his first and only senior appearance in April 2019 in a 2-0 loss against Celta Vigo, playing for 84 minutes.
Collado is an attacking midfielder who is moving closer to be promoted to the senior squad especially have a spectacular display during Barca’s pre-season friendlies. The Spaniard was a starter during the first two matches, against Chelsea and Vissel Kobe respectively, and he also managed to play for 11 minutes against Arsenal. The youngster displayed his versatility during these endeavors as he was seen playing as a left-winger during his time against Celta Vigo and Chelsea, while against Vissel Kobe, he played a defensive midfielder role.