La Masia is once again on everyone's lips for more than justified reasons. At a time when major clubs are betting on multi-million signings, Barça has looked inward again and found the solution in its youth academy.
With Flick in charge, the team has regained its competitive identity and has lifted the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa, and, to round off the season, also La Liga. The most impressive thing hasn't just been the titles, but the starring role played by homegrown players. La Masia has been the heart and soul of this new champion Barça.
La Masia, cornerstone
Names like Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Héctor Fort, Fermin López, Gavi, and Alejandro Balde haven't just been on the roster, but have been key in many decisive matches. Lamine, at just 17 years old, has been the constant game-changer on the right wing.
The connection between these young players and veterans like Lewandowski or Ter Stegen has been one of the great secrets of this triumphant season. Hansi Flick has trusted them and the gamble has paid off perfectly.
La Masia also brings in money
However, La Masia is also a valuable tool on a financial level. Future sale percentages have been a formula widely used by the club.
This planning allows the club to keep control over certain players and, at the same time, benefit if they succeed elsewhere. It's a smart model that, when executed well, becomes a constant source of income. Selling without losing everything: that's how Barça is managing to balance the books without breaking its essence.
Barça's operations with the youth academy
One of the clearest examples is Nico González. Barça received 15 million euros when the midfielder signed for Manchester City, after a remarkable season in Portugal. Another recent case is Álex Valle, whose transfer to Como will bring in another six million for the blaugrana coffers.
Guille Fernández and Álex Garrido are two of Barça Atlètic's youth players who have a chance to leave this summer. Both have offers in La Liga and abroad, and if their sales are finalized, the club could continue to strengthen its finances without touching the first team's pillars. La Masia, once again, proves that it's Barça's greatest asset.