Barcelona’s 21-year-old midfielder proves club can only count on La Masia

Despite a subpar first half of the campaign, Barcelona have seen tangible improvement in 2024.

With the win over Rayo Vallecano last weekend, the Catalans secured a second-place finish in La Liga and a spot in next season’s Spanish Super Cup.

Despite the season going trophy-less, it is thus safe to say that the campaign has not been without its silver linings.

The La Masia effect

Looking at Barcelona’s silver linings of the 2023-24 campaign, it is safe to say that most, if not all of the team’s positives have emerged from La Masia.

One such player who has stepped up this season is young Fermin Lopez.

With one game remaining in La Liga, the youngster is only second to Robert Lewandowski as the team’s top-scorer. He has seven goals in the competition so far and is tied with Joao Felix and Ferran Torres on the tally.

Stepping up when needed. (Photo by JORGE GUERRERO/AFP via Getty Images)

Further, he also has two goals in the UEFA Champions League and even scored both goals in Barcelona’s 2-0 win over Almeria recently.

Apart from his goalscoring record, the protege averages 0.5 key passes per game, a passing accuracy of over 85% and close to one successful dribble per game.

One of many gems

Fermin Lopez’s rise this season is not one many saw coming, but the youngster has established himself as an able option off the bench with a special knack in front of goal.

He is, however, the lesser-known of the Barcelona academy graduates to leave their mark on the team’s run this season.

Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi are undoubtedly the hottest talents to have debuted under the manager this season and have even broken into the Spanish National Team.

It is thus clear, at this point, that the team’s rebuild moving forward must be based around the academy.