La Masia, the FC Barcelona academy, has created some of the modern greats in the footballing world. The likes of Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, and Gerard Pique grew up playing the Barcelona way, but not all who go through the academy are as fortunate.
We hear about the successes of the academy, but many players can’t find their way into the first team at FC Barcelona and have to make moves away from the Camp Nou to find minutes and secure a career.
Here are the 7 best players to have left FC Barcelona and have found success elsewhere:
Mikel Arteta
Mikel Arteta was raised in the Barcelona system playing for Barcelona C and B, but could never crack the first team. After switching teams quite a bit, he found longetivity at Everton where he had his best years and finished his career and a subpar level for the Gunners. Now, he finds himself on the touchline with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City. Source: Twitter
Bojan Krkic
Bojan was supposed to be the next big thing. With over 100 appearances for the first team, a lot of faith was put into the young Spainaird. Eventually, he stopped progressing as Barcelona had hoped and was shipped off on loan multiple times only to find himself land at Stoke City in the Premier League. Less than ideal destination for a player that had so much potential. Source: Twitter
Gerard Deulofeu
A speedy youngster brought up from Barcelona B to the first team by none other than Pep Guardiolai in 2011. With such great players in the side, it was difficult for the young Deulofeu to break into the side and was sent out on loan to Everton and Sevilla, but now resides in Merseyside after agreeing to a transfer. Source: Twitter
Gio Dos Santos
Oh, what could have been. The young Mexican was brought to Spain and joined La Masia at 11 years old. Despite the evident talent, partying always came first for Gio would sent on loan multiple times. He could've been great at Barcelona, but chose to be playing in the MLS at 27 with his actions. Source: Twitter
Christian Tello
Another pacy winger of the Guardiola regime that couldn't make it due to the competition in the side. He's spent the past few years loaned to Porto and now Fiorentina, but a career with Barcelona looks very unlikely. It was good while it lasted. Source: Twitter
Mauro Icardi
Like many, I was unaware that the most-hated man in Milan was a former Barcelona youth player. He spent 3 years at Barcelona before being loaned and sold to Sampdoria, where he would proceed to steal the girl of former teammate, Maxi Lopez.
Source: Twitter
Oriol Romeu
Oriol Romeu, or Voldemort's cousin, found playing time difficult to come by at Barcelona. After being loaned out, he's found a home in the Premier League at Southampton. Source: Twitter
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