How Xavi Has Restored La Masia to Its Former Glory

By: Turk Balci

On January 27, 2024, Xavi announced that he would be leaving Barcelona at the end of the season. Since then Joan Laporta, the president of FC Barcelona, has been questioning his decision. Xavi stated that he has not performed well enough over the course of the last season so he needed to be dropped by the end of the season. Since that announcement, FC Barcelona’s form has gone up and Joan Laporta has begun to trust Xavi.

But it’s more than form that Joan Laporta is impressed about, it is Xavi’s use of the Barcelona academy, La Masia. Due to Xavi’s trust in La Masia, players like Pablo Gavi, Mikayli Faye, Marc Cubarsi, Marc Guiu, and Lamine Yamal have been able to develop. This is the most playtime that any youngsters have got since Pep Guardiola has been manager.

Xavi has said that the only case that he stays at Barcelona would be if he either won La Liga (which seems far less likely) or if he made it to the champions league final. Since both seem unlikely, Joan Laporta is stressing to find a manager that will continue to work on La Masia as much as Xavi has. Joan Laporta, as well as Barcelona fans around the world, fear that once Xavi leaves, the youngsters’ playtime will be greatly cut.

 La Masia’s use is at an all time high, and Barcelona would like to keep it that way.