JAKARTA - La Masia has always been a place where Barcelona's young talents know that if they impress there is a way to the first team. This became the norm in the 1990s and has been ever since.
A decade ago, under coach Pep Guardiola, almost all of Barcelona's starting XI were academy graduates. Gerard Pique, Sergio Busquets, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Cesc Fabregas were all at this club during their best days as players.
Now, under Ronald Koeman, they are experiencing a second wave as Pedri, Ansu Fati, Gavi and Nico all move up to the first team. Each has the potential to become a star.
The Catalans have always had an eye for young talent, and the ability to nurture them into elite level professionals. Gavi's debut for Spain at the age of 17 years and 60 days showed that he has the ability to achieve anything and everything in football.
And Barcelona have a midfield trident with an average age of under 18.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, have always had more qualms about moving youngsters from Castilla to the first team. The culture at Los Blancos is different from the Blaugarana in that the younger players are often loaned out first.
Look at Atlético Madrid. There we will find talented players Marcos Llorente and Mario Hermoso who had to leave Real Madrid to play in La Liga.
Yes, Barcelona's policy is different from Real Madrid's, and they are indebted to Johan Cruyff and his legacy at the club. Los Blancos, on the other hand, have always placed increased value on instant results.
While they have players who have stepped up from the academy to the first team in recent years such as Lucas Vazquez and Dani Carvajal, it does little more than buy expensive stars.
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