The museum opens a space dedicated to La Masia, 'The cradle of our identity'

The museum opens a space dedicated to La Masia, 'The cradle of our identity'

The 200 square metre exhibition space teaches visitors about the foundations on which Barça's current model of play was built, and which has become a global reference

The FC Barcelona Museum continues to incorporate new exhibits to keep bringing in the visitors, especially during the summer season, when the largest number of fans come to learn about the Club's history and achievements. The latest addition is a space devoted to La Masia, the youth academy teams, and the elements that make up the Barça DNA. The slogan of the new section is 'The cradle of our identity,' and aims to recognize one of the most fundamental components of our club: the training, both on a sports-related and personal level, of the Club's future athletes.

Visitors can now delve deep into the origins of La Masia and learn how it has become one of the key pillars of FC Barcelona's identity. One will discover the foundations on which the Club's current model of play was built, the work methodology of the Club's developmental sections, and the values that characterize Barça's style.

The 200 square metre area is located on the second floor of the museum and has 31 screens to take visitors in a journey that starts with the birth of La Masia, including pictures of the old building, located next to Camp Nou, and examines various historical figures. The section continues with a tribute to the figure of Johan Cruyff, both in his time as a player and as the coach of the so-called Dream Team.

La Masia is synonymous with the Club's youth teams, with young prospects, and with the future of the Club. That's why the Espai Masia emphasizes the Masia Method, and highlights interdisciplinary work, the accompanying tutors, everyday education, and family relationships. One big step forward was when the youth players' residence was moved out to the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, where they would be able to enjoy state-of-the-art facilities for their education, both as athletes and as people.

The legacy of Johan Cruyff

La Masia is where the Barça DNA is cared for, where a style of play valued worldwide, and which has paid off in terms of the number of players who have reached the first team as well as the number of titles won in recent years. This style of play, which was introduced by Johan Cruyff after his arrival at FC Barcelona, has continued through the figures of Louis Van Gaal, Frank Rijkaard, Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova, and Luis Enrique Martinez, all of whom are represented in the new space.

The area also includes a section dedicated to the figures of Pep Guardiola and Lionel Messi in which visitors can see images from their careers, first in the Club's youth teams and later donning the first team shirt. Also enshrined are Guardiola's achievements as a coach, an epoch during which he won 14 of the 19 titles that were in play.

In addition, there are eight large, backlit photographic panels with images of the old and the new La Masia building, of the days of Johan Cruyff, of the Club's youth football teams, of the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, of the first team coaches Tito Vilanova and Pep Guardiola, and of the 2010 Golden Ball ceremony, in which Messi, Xavi and Iniesta, all products of La Masia, finished one-two-three.

It's an emotional journey to the heart and the essence of FC Barcelona.

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