Barcelona Cashes In on La Masia: More Than €50 Million in Sales Since 2024
Not everyone makes it to the first team, but many still generate revenue. La Masia once again proves its impact goes far beyond the pitch.
La Masia, a Brand That Holds Value Across Europe
FC Barcelona not only feeds its first team with young talent, it also exports footballers whose market value is increasingly recognized across Europe. La Masia has become a true stamp of origin in European football, to the point where top clubs constantly scout players developed in Barça’s academy—even those who never fully established themselves in the first team.
That prestige is nothing new, but in recent years it has taken on growing economic importance. Barça have learned how to capitalize on academy players who, due to context or internal competition, were unable to secure a long-term role at the top level.
More Than €50 Million Without Breaking Through
Since the summer of 2024, the club has generated €52.5 million from the sale of players coming from the youth teams and Barça Atlètic. None of them managed to cement a place in the first team, a figure that highlights Barcelona’s ability to generate revenue beyond its starting XI.
Under the sporting direction of Deco, the club has sold players such as Dro, Mika Faye, Chadi Riad, Marc Guiu, Àlex Valle, Unai Hernández, Jan Virgili, Estanis Pedrola, Sergi Domínguez, and Noah Darvich—deals that comfortably exceed the €50 million mark when combined.
Flick: Continuity for Some, Exit for Others
Current head coach Hansi Flick has chosen to maintain continuity with a specific core of academy graduates in the first team. As many as 11 players with a background in Barcelona’s youth system are part of the senior squad, including Balde, Araújo, Cubarsí, Gavi, Fermín, and Lamine Yamal, not counting the third goalkeeper called up from the reserve team.
That sporting decision has pushed other talents to seek playing time away from Camp Nou, allowing the club to complete strategic sales without weakening its immediate sporting project.
The Dro Case and Revenues Still to Come
The recent departure of Dro to Paris Saint-Germain was key to reaching the total figure of €52.5 million. The deal was particularly significant given that Barça had hoped to renew the player before his exit.
The total could still rise. The club has secured sell-on percentages in several transfers and continues to explore outgoing deals, such as the potential move of Andrés Cuenca to Como 1907. Added to that are the €10 million earned from Julián Araujo, who arrived from LA Galaxy but never made an official first-team appearance.
The conclusion is clear: La Masia doesn’t just develop footballers—it also plays a key role in sustaining Barcelona financially.
