Luis de la Fuente's latest draft for the Spanish national team confirms what many in Madrid prefer to ignore. The debate over which is the best youth academy in Spain is alive. For years, there has been an attempt to establish the narrative that Real Madrid's Fábrica is the benchmark.
However, the facts are stubborn, and the coach's list to play against Bulgaria and Türkiye proves just the opposite: Barça, the current champion with homegrown players, still clearly leads.
In numbers, the review is unappealable: seven players trained at La Masia versus only two from Real Madrid's academy. Such a resounding difference dismantles any self-serving discourse.
De la Fuente's list, a reality check
Goalkeepers: Unai Simón, David Raya, and Remiro
Defenders: Pedro Porro, Carvajal, Huijsen, Cubarsí, Le Normand, Vivian, Cucurella, and Grimaldo.
Midfielders: Rodirgo, Zubimendi, Pedri, Fabián Ruiz, Mikel Merino, Gavi, and Fermín.
Forwards: Dani Olmo, Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Oyarzabal, Ferran, Morata, Jesús Rodríguez, and Yeremy Pino.
The coach hasn't yielded to pressure or media campaigns. Some media outlets close to Real Madrid were loudly demanding the inclusion of names like Carreras or Gonzalo. He also hasn't drafted Barça's new goalkeeper Joan García.
The proportion is clear: Carvajal and Morata represent the white academy. Meanwhile, Barça places Cubarsí, Cucurella, Grimaldo, Gavi, Fermín, Dani Olmo, and Lamine Yamal. The result is a 7-2 that leaves no room for doubt.
La Masia, inexhaustible
Barça's merit isn't limited to a specific moment. La Masia remains an inexhaustible nursery of talent, capable of supplying the national team with young players ready for the immediate present.
Cubarsí, just 18 years old, is already a reference in defense; Lamine Yamal, the same age (18 years old), is the offensive standard-bearer of the future. Gavi, despite his physical problems, is untouchable if he's fit.
They are joined by established players like Cucurella, Grimaldo, or Dani Olmo, all trained in the blaugrana academy before succeeding in different European teams. Even Fermín, whose progression has been meteoric, now appears as a future piece thanks to Barça's quiet work in his development.
The contrast with Real Madrid
Real Madrid's situation is completely different. The white academy contributes only Dani Carvajal, captain and club legend, and Álvaro Morata, new striker for Como. Two names with experience, but which reflect the scarce presence of the Fábrica in the elite of the national team.
The contrast is so obvious that it dismantles the narrative that Madrid dominates talent development in Spain. If the white academy were truly the best, Spanish national teams would be full of players from Valdebebas. The reality is different: Barça leads and Madrid barely appears.
A historical review
This new 7-2 isn't an isolated event. It's the continuation of a historical trend that confirms Barça's supremacy in developing footballers for Spain's glory. With La Masia as its standard, the Catalan club remains the benchmark academy of Spanish and European soccer.
Meanwhile, in Madrid, excuses pile up, but official drafts are what deliver the verdict. The verdict is clear: Barça once again surpasses Real Madrid in the area that hurts the most, the youth academy.