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Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will showcase the strength of La Masia, with club legends and rising stars on opposing sides. He praised Lionel Messi’s legacy while backing Lamine Yamal as the future, insisting Barcelona’s identity will be at the heart of the showpiece.
La Masia takes center stage
Laporta is in New York ahead of the World Cup final at the New York/New Jersey Stadium, where Argentina and Spain will meet several current and former Blaugrana players involved. The Spanish team includes eight players from Barcelona, while Messi captains Argentina.
Laporta said the club’s influence will be evident throughout the final, describing the occasion as another demonstration of La Masia’s ability to produce elite talent. He also highlighted the importance of seeing Barcelona academy graduates compete on the biggest international football stage, regardless of which team wins the trophy.
Messi and Yamal: a passing of the torch
Laporta reflected on the importance of seeing Messi and Yamal headline opposing teams in the final. While praising Messi’s extraordinary contribution to Barcelona, he also tipped Yamal as the club’s next great standard-bearer.
“Messi also reached the final and I’m delighted,” Laporta said. CAR1. “It is a source of pride for La Masia. Messi is the past and the present, and Lamine (Yamal) is the present and the future. We are very happy to have the true Barça style of play.
“As president, I am proud to have developed these two players at home, and if we add Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, [Pau] Cubarsi, who had a spectacular World Cup, [Dani] Olmo, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran [Torres]… It’s spectacular.”
Barcelona influence remains clear
Laporta sees the final as further proof of Barcelona’s continued success in producing world-class talent through La Masia. With so many current players representing Spain and Messi managing Argentina, he believes the club’s footballing philosophy remains influential at the highest level.
He also praised Barcelona’s current squad, saying: “We are very proud of the eight players we have. It is very important for them, and as president I am very satisfied and grateful to have such talented players.
“At the national team level, it’s the best match we can play, with different styles, and the referee will have to leave his mark. Argentina is more aggressive and the Spanish team plays with more cohesion, with a style of play closer to that of Barça. Barça are the best there are, and everyone recognizes that.”
The biggest stage awaits you
Argentina and Spain will meet in the World Cup final, with Barcelona heavily represented on both sides. This match will not only decide the world champions, but will also provide another opportunity for La Masia graduates, from Messi to Yamal to Barcelona’s current Spanish contingent, to make their mark on football’s biggest stage.
