The likes of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta have come through FC Barcelona's popular La Masia academy, but in recent times, the club has not relied on producing its own talent. Here is a starting XI of La Masia stars who have quit the Spanish giants in recent years!
Tired of reading? Click through the gallery above to see a starting XI of Las Masia talents who have quit the club in recent times, according to Marca.
Barca is a club that has always been proud of assembling its own successful squads, with current stars Messi, Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Sergi Roberto, Jordi Alba and Sergio Busquets having all come from its academy.
In their latest LaLiga game against Celta Vigo, not a single La Masia graduate was on the field from the start, which has raised concerns among supporters that the club is no longer taking pride in player development.
Spanish publication Marca has since put together a team of talented players the Blaugrana have let go of in recent years, and there are some big names among the group.
Between the sticks is Levante shot-stopper Oier Olazabal, who left Barca after making only two senior appearances for the club. The player was full of promise when he came through the ranks in 2007, but left seven years later.
Fairly established defenders Hector Bellerin, Marc Bartra and Alejandro Grimaldo have all also left the Camp Nou in recent years, with Grimaldo's exit to Benfica in 2016 causing an uproar among the club's faithful fans.
The left-back showed remarkable talent throughout his time as a youth player at the club, and left in the same window Barca bought French fullback Lucas Digne, who is already rumoured to be out the exit door in the next window.
Former Manchester City winger Nolito was let go by Barca in 2011, while Cesc Fabregas's initial exit from the club in 2002 was also one that caused confusion.
The midfielder's incredible ability was clear for everyone to see at Arsenal, and he returned to the Blaugrana nine years later. Fabregas then left for Chelsea in 2014 after his return to the Catalan giants did not quite go as expected.
Brothers Thiago and Rafinha Alcantara are the other two midfielders, although the latter's exit is not yet confirmed. However, in a recent interview, he admitted that he wishes to stay at Inter Milan, the club he joined on loan in January.
In attack is Pedro Rodriguez, Sandro Ramirez and Paraguay international Antonio Sanabria. While Ramirez left in search of first team football, many supporters were unhappy with Pedro's transfer to Chelsea in 2015.
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Although fans have not seen much of Sanabria since he left the club in 2014, the 22-year-old has shown promise with the likes of Roma, Sporting Gijon and now Real Betis.
Which of these La Masia products do you think the club should never have sold? Let us know in the comments section below.
