The Argentine superstar feels immense pride watching the spirited performances of Barcelona’s academy players and the consistent success of his former club.
Under new coach Hansi Flick, Barcelona seems to be running with fresh energy, leaving behind the failures of last season. A key part of this resurgence has been the contributions of players rising through the club’s famed academy. This transformation has especially caught the attention of Lionel Messi. Reflecting on the inspired performances of La Masia graduates and the club’s continued success, Messi expressed his pride.
Last season, Barcelona failed to secure any trophies, and their performances lacked the usual dominance. This led to the dismissal of then-coach Xavi Hernández.
Now, under Flick, the team has undergone a complete turnaround. In La Liga, they have won 11 of their 13 matches, losing only two, and currently lead the league table. In the Champions League, despite a losing start, they have triumphed in their last three games and are currently the top scorers in both competitions.
Naturally, Messi is delighted by the exceptional form of his former club, where he spent the golden years of his career. The sight of academy players excelling at the highest level brings him even greater joy. Speaking to TV3, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner shared his pride.
“I feel incredibly proud to see Barcelona’s first team representing the club by integrating academy players into the main squad.”
Last month, in the El Clásico at Real Madrid’s home, Barcelona delivered a stunning 4-0 victory, with eight academy players, including Lamine Yamal and Gavi, featuring in the squad.
Messi himself is a product of Barcelona’s academy. After nearly two decades at Camp Nou, he moved to PSG in 2021 and is currently playing for Inter Miami in the U.S.
Barcelona’s recent stellar performances have not surprised Messi.
“The Barcelona team is incredible, though I’m not surprised. This has always been the case, or at least since I joined at 13 years old,” he remarked.
“For the past two years, these young players have been getting opportunities, which is fantastic. When you give them confidence, they respond like this because they understand the club’s style better than anyone else. They’ve been playing this way since childhood. When given a chance, they deliver—just like in our time.”
There isn’t a single trophy Messi hasn’t won in Barcelona’s colors, and he’s won each of them multiple times. Over a career spanning more than two decades with the club, Messi scored 672 goals in 778 matches, both records for the Catalan giants.
Ahead of Barcelona’s La Liga match against Celta Vigo on Saturday, Flick was asked about Messi’s remarks during the pre-match press conference. The coach said it meant a lot to the team.
“It’s an honor to receive praise from the greatest player in Barcelona’s history. He follows everything—how this team plays and how the young players are performing.”
