Barcelona are renowned for giving academy graduates opportunities in the first team, but what became of those to break through during Pep Guardiola’s four years in charge?
Guardiola had managed the B team before replacing Frank Rijkaard in 2008 and used that experience to integrate players into the first team.
We’ve taken a look back at every academy product Guardiola handed a senior debut to at Barcelona.
Oier
With Victor Valdes well established as Barca’s No.1, Oier made just two first-team appearances for the club before joining Granada in 2014.
The goalkeeper then had spells with Real Sociedad and Levante before returning to Catalonia with Espanyol in January 2020.
Alberto Botia
Botia made his one and only Barcelona appearance against Deportivo La Coruna in La Liga in 2009, coming on as a late substitute for Gerard Pique in a 2-2 draw.
He made another 139 La Liga appearances with Sporting Gijon, Sevilla and Elche before joining Olympiakos in 2014.
The 33-year-old spent four years in Greece, winning three league titles, and is now playing in Saudi Arabia with Al-Wehda.
Marc Muniesa
Muniesa made his debut aged 17 years and 57 days against Osasuna in 2009, although it was one of only four appearances for the club.
The defender joined Stoke City on a free transfer in 2013, but his five years with the Potters were plagued by a string of injury problems.
After making a brief return to La Liga with Girona, he’s now playing for Qatari outfit Al-Arabi.
“For me and my family, we will be grateful all our lives to Pep Guardiola for giving me my debut with Barcelona,” Muniesa told Sportskeeda in 2018. “It’s a moment we will remember all our lives.”
Sergio Busquets
He’s done alright, hasn’t he?
Sergio Busquets is one of a kind…
Ice in his veins ❄️
🎥 @ChampionsLeaguepic.twitter.com/c9mk00sRfy
— Oddschanger (@Oddschanger) November 10, 2021
Thiago
Thiago was regarded as one of Barcelona’s brightest prospects and made his first-team debut against Mallorca in 2009 when he was just 18 years of age.
But after failing to break up the trio of Busquets, Xavi and Andres Iniesta, the midfielder reunited with Guardiola at Bayern Munich in 2013.
He won seven consecutive Bundesliga titles, four DFB-Pokals and the Champions League in Bavaria before joining Liverpool in 2020. After an injury-hit debut season at Anfield, Thiago’s now starting to shine on Merseyside.
Jonathan Dos Santos
The younger brother of Giovani Dos Santos,…
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