Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy continues to offer future world champions the perfect solution to the club’s financial woes.
The Catalan giants may have racked up a staggering £138million transfer debt – but their homegrown stars are saving them millions.
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That became clear on Tuesday when Hansi Flick started seven players in the 6-1 Champions League win against Olympiacos Piraeus from La Masia.
Lamine Yamal headed a list that included Pau Cubarsí, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Balde, Marc Casadó, Dro Fernández and Fermín López.
However, the Spanish giants already have another young talent primed for a breakthrough in Sama Nomoko, who stars for Barça Atlètic.
The 17-year-old was a standout performer in the club’s youth team’s 3-2 defeat to Atlètic Lleida after providing two assists against Reus FC Reddis.
The hype is so big SPORT reported: “It is rare to see a player who is so superior to the others and cannot be stopped by his opponents.”
Former CD Estepona technical secretary Victor Serena even claimed the teenager was the most distinctive winger he had ever seen in Segunda B.
“Nomoko’s progression inspires confidence because he embodies what defines La Masia’s most successful talents – technical excellence, positional versatility and accelerated adaptation to higher levels,” La Masia Report told The Pitch Prospect.com exclusively.
“He has already marked the games with his maturity and decision-making. Since joining the FC Barcelona academy, Nomoko has always been ahead of his age.
“Essentially, his career mirrors that of Lamine Yamal in terms of early promotions and exposure to higher competition. ─ Sama is technically a Juvenil B (U18) player and already plays for Barça Atlètic.
“Yamal’s rise was extraordinarily rapid and driven by creative spontaneity; Nomoko’s journey was more complex and steady.”
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Barcelona’s ‘next Lamine Yamal’
Yamal, who has already won Euro 2024 and LaLiga, is La Masia’s biggest talent since Lionel Messi and the current Ballon d’Or runner-up.
He holds the record as the youngest debutant and goalscorer in LaLiga, Champions League and European Championships.
As well as his talent, Yamal’s £1bn release clause all but signals that the Spaniard will lead Barca’s attack for the next decade.
Nomoko, who is just a year younger than the two-time Kopa Trophy winner, is confident his progress will not be halted.
La Masia Report added to The Pitch Prospect: “Flick could use both Nomoko and Yamal by alternating them up front – Nomoko as an inverted left winger or attacking midfielder, Yamal as a right winger – balancing creativity and directness.”
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The fastest player in La Masia
“Lamine Yamal has established himself as a crucial figure for the first team, but I personally don’t see that as a big block for Nomoko.
“Nomoko could be a complete option if injury occurs, an ideal fit for the squad role as a substitute with the idea of starting in certain games.”
Despite the comparisons between the two, Nomoko – considered the fastest player at La Masia – ironically looks more like a former Barcelona winger and the man who beat Yamal at the Ballon d’Or.
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“Given the qualities and skills he has shown, when I look at Sama, what comes to mind is former Barca player Ousmane Dembele.
“Like Dembele, Nomoko can dribble, cross and finish easily with both feet. This makes him unpredictable in one-on-one play and allows him to switch wings seamlessly – a rare trait for his age.”
“Another trait I can mention is his direct attacking intent. He loves isolating full-backs, going against them and attacking spaces vertically rather than exploiting possession.”
“This directness reflects Dembélé’s role as a ‘chaos creator’ – opening gaps for teammates through constant forward movement.”
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Who is Sama Nomoko?
The attacker came on Barca’s radar at Santa Eulalia de Hospitalet but was signed after impressing for Spanish youth club Cornellà.
Nomoko scored 15 goals and provided 11 assists for the U19 B team last season and starred under Barca B coach Juliano Belletti this season.
The Mali-born Spanish U17 international started out as a striker but has developed into a versatile winger in recent years.
Nomoko recently provided an assist in Barca’s 2-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Youth League as sporting director Deco watched from the stands.