Talent always seems to find its way into the colors of FC Barcelona in different ways. La Masia, the fabled academy that Barcelona possesses, continues to develop and bring out young talents that can be fundamental to the club’s progression either sportingly or even financially.
Gavi, Alejandro Balde, Fermin Lopez, and Lamine Yamal are some of the more recent introductions into the first team. Once considered stars of the youth divisions of Barcelona, they now light up the field with the first team under Xavi Hernandez.
The latest hero from the academy has turned out to be 17-year-old Marc Guiu. Having barely played for Barcelona Atletic, he was trusted by Xavi Hernandez to represent the first team against Athletic Bilbao.
Put into a tense encounter, the striker wasted no time and relayed Xavi’s faith in him. However, it seems the two have even older history linking them together.
As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, Marc Guiu was a part of Xavi’s own youth camp 10 years ago. Part of his development initiative in Santa Maria del Collell while being partnered with his brother Oscar and their father, the Catalan coach was an active participant in helping young talent develop.
Marc Guiu just so happened to be one of those select few that got to not just participate but also encounter and meet Xavi Hernandez himself. Active as a player previously, Xavi continues to take part in it even now as a manager.
While being a part of that camp, Guiu was simultaneously a part of the La Masia setup as well. Around 7 years of age at that time, the player would only have the idea of playing under Xavi Hernandez one day as a wild dream in his head. Now, 10 years later, the teenager may have just become the latest of stars to gain the Barcelona legend’s trust.