Six young players in Barcelona uniforms pose in front of a burgundy background with large yellow letters behind them.
The "success" of La Masia has been cut short in recent years | Camara Real Madrid Confidencial
FIRST TEAM

Not everything that glitters is gold: these players shatter La Masia's success narrative

Ansu Fati becomes another homegrown Barça player who has to leave Barça due to a lack of opportunities

by

Sergio Iglesias

Ansu Fati completed his transfer to AS Monaco of Ligue 1 a few days ago. It's not a transfer, but it sounds like a clear farewell. The winger, who suffered a serious injury a few years ago, never managed to regain his place at FC Barcelona.

The Spanish footballer went from being one of the greatest prospects from the Barça academy, wearing Leo Messi's number 10, to not having a spot in the first team. Ansu Fati wasn't the only one. There are many other academy players who were painted as future legends but ended up far from Camp Nou.

Man wearing sunglasses and an AS Monaco jersey posing with arms outstretched in front of a panoramic view of a coastal city
Ansu Fati is now a new AS Monaco footballer | Real Madrid Confidencial

Ansu Fati, the leader of a long list

Many believed Ansu Fati would be Leo Messi's heir at FC Barcelona. However, a meniscus injury in 2020 started an ordeal that led him to undergo surgery four times. Since then, the player hasn't been the same.

His move to Monaco is the second attempt to recover him after his failed loan to Brighton of the Premier League. Ansu Fati spent six seasons with the first team: 123 matches, 29 goals, and 7 assists.

Other players also on the list are Nico González, current midfielder for Manchester City, and Ez Abde. The Spaniard arrived from Porto to the 'cityzen' squad last season for a huge sum, but from England they point to a possible departure. Meanwhile, the Moroccan winger decided not to settle for a secondary role and ended up leaving for CA Osasuna to currently play for Real Betis.

Riqui Puig, the eternal Barça promise who left for the United States

Without a doubt, one of the most notable names on the list is Riqui Puig. Everyone thought he was going to be the next Andrés Iniesta, since he had that La Masia DNA that everyone boasted about at 'Can Barça'. That wasn't the case at all.

He debuted under Ernesto Valverde, worked with several other coaches, and none gave him the opportunity he so wanted. Tired of "warming" the bench, he decided to leave for MLS to join Los Angeles Galaxy, moving away from elite soccer far too soon.

Soccer player in a white LA Galaxy uniform running on the field during a match
Riqui Puig decided to leave top-level soccer at the first opportunity | Real Madrid Confidencial

Other footballers who also stand out on the list are Gerard Deulofeu, Munir El Haddadi, Óscar Mingueza, and Martín Montoya.

All those mentioned were footballers who had a good level, but Barça fans put them on a pedestal at the first sign of promise.

➡️ First Team

More posts: