Pablo Cardona. PHOTO: loaned

IESE Prof. Pablo Cardona and researcher Borja Lleó use the case method to analyze the success formula of FC Barcelona's La Masía. As the case study "La Masía, escuela de talento" reflects, its model based on the triple training, physical-sports, intellectual and moral, works. "The core topic of La Masía's success is that its priority goal is not to train elite athletes but good people, responsible in their programs of study, with healthy lifestyle habits and who are happy with the lifestyle they have chosen," says IESE Prof. Pablo Cardona.

The high performing school for Barça footballers, from which the current Ballon d'Or winner, Lionel Messi, as well as the two finalists, Andrés Iniesta and Xavi Hernández, hails, has recognized talent, training more than 500 players over the last 30 years.

The cases of Pep Guardiola, Carles Puyol and Messi, Iniesta and Xavi themselves stand out: the current FC Barcelona coach was very slow and physically weak, but his intelligence was evident and compensated for everything. Puyol was not a brilliant player either; however, his desire to succeed and his ability to work opened the doors to success for him.

The demands of the discipline sports website, the stressful day-to-day school life and being far away from his family can affect the state of mind of promising young players. For example, Andrés Iniesta recalls the day he arrived at La Masía at the age of twelve: "It seemed like the world was ending, it was a new life and the impact was very hard". Hence the need for support from teachers, pedagogues, psychologists and other club professionals who are at contact with the youngsters.

The training aspect is fundamental at the Masia. "The training sessions are totally compatible with the classes and the kids are required to do their best at school", emphasizes Professor Cardona, who also adds that "special attention is paid to youngsters from other cultures".

A clear Philosophy

As "La Masía, school of talent" reveals, the club is clear that in the sporting field, the most important thing is that the children assimilate its Philosophy game as soon as possible, based on an attractive model game. They must become familiar with the first team system to facilitate their integration into the team when the time comes.

Cardona highlights successful practices at La Masia, such as the fact that in the youth categories all players play the same minutes to mature properly, but as they move up the ladder, the competitive aspect takes precedence over the training aspect.

For his part, José Ramón Alexanco, former F.C. Barcelona youth soccer coach director , explains that retaining talent becomes a real challenge challenge. "That's where the Barça value comes in": the young player knows that the club trusts the youth academy and is sure that he can make it to the first team, so he is likely to put sporting projection before money. Getting young players to commit is fundamental, since retaining players who want to leave at all costs would cost the club an enormous expense amount of money, and would involve very high risks.

For more information, see IESE Insight and IESE Publishing.