FC Barcelona is home to one of the most successful and well-renowned football academies in the world, La Masia. Often throughout the club’s storied history, the Catalan giants have turned towards the aid provided by the academy when in times of need, and rarely have they been disappointed.
As they begin to lose more and more legends from their fabled glory days, Barcelona have managed to slowly but surely find alternative solutions, and often they have come from the Barca academy itself.
Alejandro Balde is a clear example of this, given that his arrival from the academy basically eradicated the need for Barcelona to find a top-level fullback as a Jordi Alba replacement, given that they’ve found one from their own academy.
Now, Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez turns towards the academy once more in a time of need, as per Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo. The Spanish coach has called upon Pau Cubarsi and Dani Rodriquez to first-team training and could potentially even take them to the upcoming game against Cadiz.
Friday’s training session prior to the game against Cadiz at the Lluís Companys Olympic Stadium saw 16-year-old defender Pau Cubarsi and 18-year-old winger Dani Rodriquez be included in the Barcelona first team training alongside the regulars Lamine Yamal (16 years), Marc Casado (19) and Fermin Lopez (20).
Pau Cubarsi is primarily a central defender much younger in age than his typical teammates, much like Lamine Yamal, and is said to be one of the “jewels” of La Masia with talent well beyond his years as he remains a crucial part of Rafa Marquez’s Barcelona Atletic.
His arrival within the first team could be a likely introduction due to the absence of Ronald Araujo due to injury as well as Inigo Martinez and Marcos Alonso due to being unregistered.
On the other hand, Dani Rodriquez is an 18-year-old winger who possesses raw dribbling prowess and speed to back it up, traits that Xavi may look to need in his side given Raphinha’s suspension and the lack of similar options in his squad.
It will be interesting to see how Xavi Hernandez decides to line up Barcelona for the upcoming game, but it may not be surprising to see either of the two youngsters take part against Cadiz at some point during the match.
