NEW YORK \u2014 As Spain and Argentina prepare to clash in Sunday\u2019s highly anticipated World Cup final in New Jersey, the towering influence of Barcelona\u2019s youth system will take center stage.<\/p>\n
Barcelona president Joan Laporta<\/a>, speaking from New York, has expressed immense pride in the club’s world-renowned academy, La Masia<\/a>, which has produced nine of the players set to feature in the squads for the championship decider.<\/p>\n Among the graduates, eight will represent Spain\u2019s “La Roja”\u2014Lamine Yamal<\/a>, Gavi, Pau Cubars\u00ed<\/a>, Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marc Cucurella, and V\u00edctor Mu\u00f1oz. The ninth is Argentina\u2019s talismanic captain, Lionel Messi<\/a>, who at 39 years old is seeking to guide his nation to a second consecutive world title against the newly crowned European champions.<\/p>\n “Messi has also reached the final and I am happy. It is a source of pride for La Masia<\/a>,” Laporta told Catalan radio station RAC1. “Messi is the past and present and Lamine is the present and future.”<\/p>\n For decades, La Masia has been the bedrock of Barcelona\u2019s identity, pioneering a possession-based philosophy of play that revolutionized modern football. Laporta emphasized that this distinct identity remains the club’s greatest achievement.<\/p>\n “We are very happy to have created a genuine system of playing at Bar\u00e7a,” Laporta said. “As president, it gives me enormous pride to have trained these two players at our home. And if we add that we as a club have Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Cubars\u00ed, who is having a spectacular World Cup, Olmo, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran\u2026 It\u2019s spectacular.”<\/p>\n Sunday’s final promises a fascinating tactical battle. Spain’s fluid, possession-heavy style\u2014deeply rooted in the principles cultivated at Barcelona\u2014will face an aggressive, highly determined Argentine side.<\/p>\n Laporta, however, raised concerns over Argentina’s physical approach, pointing to their hard-fought semi-final victory over England. He urged the match referee, Slavko Vincic<\/a>, to maintain strict control over the game from the opening whistle to prevent unsporting behavior.<\/p>\n “It is the best game that could be played, of different styles, and the referee must be strong,” Laporta remarked. “Argentina are more aggressive and the Spanish national team plays with a style of play more like that of Bar\u00e7a. Bar\u00e7a is the best there is and everyone recognises it.”<\/p>\n Laporta\u2019s remarks come during an intensive week-long trip to the United States, where the Barcelona chief has been engaging in high-level sports diplomacy since Monday.<\/p>\n The trip has provided an opportunity for Barcelona to strengthen its institutional ties with global football governing bodies. Laporta revealed he has held productive discussions with key stakeholders, including FIFA President Gianni Infantino<\/a>, La Liga president Javier Tebas<\/a>, and Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louz\u00e1n.<\/p>\n “We have been to many events and had many meetings,” Laporta explained. “We have been with FIFA, La Liga, the Federation, who invited us. These are days of great intensity alongside the cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me of world football.”<\/p>\n He expressed gratitude for the hospitality shown by the Spanish federation, adding: “Javier Tebas and Rafael Louz\u00e1n are also here. We were able to have dinner and talk about football in general. I am very grateful to the Federation and the treatment they are giving us. We were also with Infantino and his FIFA Board and we have talked a lot.”<\/p>\nA Clash of Philosophies<\/h3>\n
High-Level Diplomacy in the United States<\/h3>\n