Barcelona more than a club - more like a family

By Duncan Shaw May 26, 2011, 4:02 GMT

Madrid - Spanish champions Barcelona take massive pride in their motto 'More Than A Club.'

This slogan, proudly featured in the club's official website, enigmatically hints at Barca's historic support for the Catalan language and autonomy.

It would be appropriate to add the expression 'More Like A Family' to the motto, given the importance in Pep Guardiola's team of players who have come up through the club's famed youth sections.

Guardiola himself was a product of Barca's world-famous La Masia residence for teenage players, where the youngsters learn the club's short-passing philosophy - as well as the values of hard work, sacrifice and humility.

When asked about the importance of La Masia several weeks ago, Guardiola simply replied: 'That is where I learned the most important things about football.' Enough said.

And in the team that Guardiola will put out against Manchester United in Saturday's Champions League final there will be no less than seven Masia 'graduates' on show: Victor Valdes, Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Pedro and - last but by no means least - Lionel Messi.

Five of this 'Magnificent Seven' helped Barca to win the Champions League in 2006, all seven featured in the 2009 triumph over United.

Catalan radio station RAC-1 commented last week that 'very rarely in football history has a team been so heavily built around youth products...In many ways, this is more like an extended family than a football club.'

Many clubs around the world are now trying to copy Barca's youth scheme. It has given Barca a continuity and stability that few other clubs have been able to match in the past few years.

Every year two or three youth products are incorporated into the first-team squad.

Xavi made his debut back in 1998, Puyol the following year, Valdes and Iniesta in 2002, Messi in 2004 and Pedro in 2009.

In addition, Barca did not forget about the youngsters who leave for other clubs. Pique left for Manchester United in 2004 but was bought back by Barca four years later.

One of the reasons why Barca are so interested in signing Cesc Fabregas from Arsenal is that he is also a Masia product - and so knows how to 'play the Barca way.'

Looking forward to Saturday's final, Catalan daly Sport commented last week that 'Wembley will be stage for Barca to again show the whole world the value of its youth development programme.'