La Masia de Can Planes, usually shortened to La Masia , is FC Barcelona's youth academy. It includes more than 300 … See more

La Masia houses about 60 players: 10 in the farmhouse, and the rest in rooms of the adjacent stadium; the rest of the youth players must provide for their own accommodation. The academy is one of the most expen… See more

"The player who has passed through La Masia has something different to the rest, it's a plus that only comes from having competed in a Barcelona shirt from the time you were a child."— Former Barcelona coach Pep … See more

In 2009, Messi became the first player from La Masia to be awarded with the Ballon d'Or prize for the best footballer in Europe, and the FIFA World Player award, for the best footballer in the world. in the next year, Messi woul… See more

• Barcelona's talent factory (video)
• The academy spotlight: Ajax and Barcelona – These Football Times (2015) See more