Five years since the closure of the old Masia
Today - June 30, 2016 - marks five years since Barça's historic Masia closed it's doors in order to relocate to the new Masia, the Centro-Formación Oriol Tort at the Ciutat Espotiva Joan Gamper.
Built in 1702, former Barça president Josep Lluis Nunez decided to renovate the famous building situated next to the Camp Nou in order to host players arriving from outside Barcelona for a period of 32 years.
The most notable achievement of La Masia came in 2010 when three of its graduates - Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta and Xavi - placed first, second and third respectively at the Ballon d'Or award ceremony.
The academy has seen and helped the development of others including Angel Pedraza, Sergi Barjuan, Guillermo Amor, Pep Guardiola, Albert Celades, Carles Puyol, Victor Valdes, Cesc Fabregas, Pedro Rodriguez, Segio Busquets and Sergi Roberto.
Others who passed through its door and triumphed in the world of football were the likes of Esteve Fradera, Luis Milla, Lluis Carreras, Tito Vilanova, Jordi Roura, Jordi Vinals, Ivan de la Pena, Bojan Krkic, Thiago Motta, Pepe Reina, Giovani and Jonathan dos Santos, Jeffren and Marc Bartra.
