5 Famous players you probably forgot were at La Masia

• The famous Barcelona academy, La Masia, is undoubtedly one of the finest football schools to develop youngsters
• The academy has produced some of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen
• Onana joined La Masia from Samuel Eto’o’s Foundation in Cameroon as a youth and went on to spend five years at the academy

The famous Barcelona academy, La Masia, is undoubtedly one of the finest football schools to develop youngsters. From Lionel Messi to Andres Iniesta and Xavi Hernandez, the academy has produced some of the greatest footballers the world has ever seen. In fact, Barcelona’s success last decade is thanks to some of the players from La Masia.

However, it is not every youngster who turns out to be a star after being leaving the academy. Whereas some struggled to impress at Barca’s senior team, others leave immediately after becoming professionals. Here, we bring you five former La Masia players you probably didn’t know went through Barca’s youth system.

1. Andre Onana 

The path between Ajax and FC Barcelona is well known, with the Eredivisie side selling several top players to the Catalans. However, the case of Andre Onana was a different one as the Cameroon international moved from Barca to Ajax.

Andre Onana. Photo/ Eurosport.

Onana joined Barcelona’s academy from Samuel Eto’o’s Foundation in Cameroon as a youth and went on to spend five years at La Masia. After a handful of games at youth level, Ajax’s sporting director felt convinced to bring Onana in Amsterdam, and they signed him in 2015. He started his career at Jong Ajax and later made a name for himself with the senior team. Inter Milan later signed him and after helping the Italian side reach the final of last season’s UEFA Champions League, he joined Manchester United.

2. Mauro Icardi

Mauro Icardi is one of the former La Masia players. Photo/ NTVSpor.

Mauro Icardi is arguably one of the best strikers in the world. Currently playing for Galatasaray, Icardi became famous during his time at Inter Milan where he was recognized for his goalscoring prowess. He later moved to PSG where he won several titles before joining Galatasaray.

Well, it may come as a surprise to many football fans that Mauro Icardi began his football journey in Europe at Barcelona’s academy. The Argentine joined the academy at the start of Pep Guardiola’s era as manager and progressed through the youth teams for two and a half seasons. He later lost his spot to Rafinha, leading to his move to Sampdoria. The 30-year-old is one of the La Masia players you forgot about.

3. Hector Bellerin 

Hector Bellerin is one of the players who started their careers at Barcelona but became known after leaving the La Liga giants. Born in Catalonia, Bellerin joined La Masia as a small boy and went through the youth system before leaving for Arsenal in 2011 as a 16-year-old.

Hector Bellerin. Photo/ FC Barcelona.

Bellerin got the attention of football fans while at Arsenal where he impressed playing as a full-back. However, injuries have dogged his career and the Spanish star has since had spells at Barcelona, Sporting CP and is currently at Betis.

4. Marc Cucurella 

Marc Cucurella is a top talent, and his footballing ability is thanks to the good development he had at Barcelona’s academy. Well, this may be a surprise to some who didn’t know he is one of the former La Masia players.

Cucurella spent eight years playing for the youth teams and later Barca B. However, he struggled for playing team with the senior team and only made one appearance as a substitute for Lucas Digne in a Copa del Rey match. Following his spells with Eibar and Getafe, Cucurella moved to England where he joined Brighton. He is currently at Chelsea where he is still struggling to get the form he had at Brighton.

5. Adama Traore

Adama Traore. Photo/ X.com.

When the discussion is about former La Masia players, few will remember the name Adama Traore. The Spain international got the attention of the football world during his time in England and many fans may have forgotten that he was at Barcelona’s academy.

Traore started his football career at Barcelona at the age of eight and went through the club’s youth set-up until he was promoted to the senior team. The talented winger had all the attributes to become a Barcelona legend but he struggled to get playing time and eventually left for Aston Villa. He later played for Middlesbrough, Wolves and is currently at Fulham.