La Masia is considered to be the best football academy in the world. Ove the decades, it provided Barcelona a base for developing many young kids, future stars. Players like Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Pep Guardiola, Gerard Pique, Cesc Fabregas, Victor Valdes, Mikel Arteta, Pepe Reina are confirmation of the quality of Barca‘s academy. In recent years, a new generation of La Masia players are making a big contribution to the Catalan club, especially in a current economic situation, when Barca cannot spend too much money on transfers. Players like Pedro, Gavi, Yamal, Fermin Lopez or Pau Cubarsi are already playing for the first team and in the Champions League. But the academy must work all the time and bring more kids who will be Camp Nou stars in a few years. And Africa is a big part of that successful story. Thanks so much for these memorable moments. You’re getting a gem @FCBarcelona, please take care of him🤩.#StillBelieve☝🏾💚 | #IGWT | #DFC15 pic.twitter.com/ub9jrLndie— DREAMS FC 🏆 22/23 FA CUP CHAMPIONS (@DreamsFootballC) September 2, 2024 Barcelona is actively exploring the African youth market looking for hidden gems, and so far, they found two of them, both from Ghana. FC Barcelona and Ghanaian side Dreams FC have reached an agreement for the loan of player Abdul Aziz Issah to Barça Atlètic for one season, and the agreement includes an option to buy him at the end of the season from the Catalan club. A left-footed winger from Ghana (born in 2005) can adapt to any position in attack, both on his natural and off-leg positions. “He is quick and skilful with the ball at his feet, and also has good goalscoring figures despite playing on the wings“ says the official Barcelona statement. In total he has played 46 league games, with eight goals, five cup games (three goals) and 10 African Confederations Cup games (four goals). In addition, Aziz Issah has played one game for the Ghana U20 team.David Oduro (Barça new signing from Ghana): “Which player do I want to be like? Alejandro Balde.” pic.twitter.com/fVCQrTbRpV— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) August 31, 2024 He will be the second Black Star player in Barcelona, as his countryman David Oduro became the first Ghanaian to sign for the Spanish giant. Oduro had been on trial with Barcelona some months prior, and has also been looked at by Bayern Munich and Chelsea but in the end signed for the Catalans in the last days of August. Born on June 12 2006 in Ghana, Oduro was part of the Accra Lions youth development programme until he reached the first team during the 2022/23 season. The Ghanaian has played 50 games in the Ghanaian Premier League since his debut, scoring one goal. Oduro is also an U20 player for the national side.##NAJAVA_MECA_8314420##
