NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will show the strength of La Masia, with club legends and rising stars on either side. He paid tribute to Lionel Messi’s legacy while backing Lamine Yamal as the future, insisting Barcelona’s identity will be at the heart of the performance.
La Masia takes the stage
Laporta is in New York ahead of the World Cup final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, where Argentina and Spain will meet with several current and former Blaugrana players involved. Spain’s squad includes eight Barcelona players, while Messi captains Argentina.
Laporta said the club’s influence will be evident throughout the final, describing the occasion as another demonstration of La Masia’s ability to produce elite talent. He also highlighted the importance of seeing Barcelona’s academy graduates compete on football’s biggest international stage, regardless of which team lifts the trophy.
Messi And Yamal: A Passing Of The Torch
Laporta reflected on the significance of seeing Messi and Yamal play opposite sides in the final. While praising Messi’s extraordinary contribution to Barcelona, he also pointed to Yamal as the club’s next great standard-bearer.
“Messi has also reached the final and I’m happy,” Laporta said RAC1. “He is a source of pride for La Masia. Messi is the past and the present and Lamine (Yamal) is the present and the future. We are very happy to have what is the true Barça style of play.
“As president, I am proud to have developed these two players at home, and if we add Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, [Pau] Cubarsi, having a spectacular World Cup, [Dani] Olmo, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran [Torres]… It’s spectacular.”
Barcelona’s influence remains clear
Laporta sees the final as further proof of Barcelona’s continued success in producing world-class talent through La Masia. With so many current players representing Spain and Messi leading Argentina, he believes the club’s footballing philosophy remains influential at the highest level.
He also praised Barcelona’s current crop, saying: “We are very proud of the eight players we have. It is very important for them and as president I am very pleased and grateful to have such talented players.
“At national team level, it’s the best game you can play, with different styles, and the referee will have to make his mark. Argentina is more aggressive and the Spanish team plays more cohesively, with a style of play more like Barça’s. Barça is the best out there and everyone recognizes that.”
The biggest scene awaits
Argentina and Spain meet in the World Cup final with Barcelona heavily represented on both sides. The match will not only decide the world champions, but also provide another opportunity for La Masia candidates, from Messi to Yamal and Barcelona’s current Spanish contingent, to make their mark on football’s biggest stage.
