UEFA highlights the decisive role of youth development at Barcelona

UEFA has highlighted the considerable weight of Barça youth academy. In the 5-2 win over Paris FC last Wednesday, in their continental opener, Lúa Arufe, Carolina Ferrera and Laia Cabetas came on in the second half despite a wave of absences.

La Masia therefore remains the distinctive hallmark of a Barça side that has won four European Cups. While the financial resources of other European and global projects are focused on this benchmark, Barça’s academy retains solid foundations and continues to bring through new players.

According to UEFA’s annual report on talent and competitions in European clubs, in the previous campaign only Paris FC, at 41%, surpassed Barça’s 35% share of minutes played by homegrown players during the Champions League league phase. Claudia Pina was notably photographed during Barça’s 5-2 win over Paris FC on the opening matchday of the 2026-27 Champions League.

Behind Barça, the shares were 30% for OH Leuven, 28% for OL Lyonnes, 18% for Twente, 17% for Arsenal, 14% for Atlético de Madrid, Bayern and Paris Saint-Germain, 13% for Chelsea, 12% for Juventus, and 11% for Real Madrid and Roma.

While Aitana Bonmatí was coming back from injury but appeared at the end of the season, Clara Serrajordi had already shown, through her place in the starting line-up for the Oslo final won convincingly 4-0 against Michele Kang’s OL Lyonnes, that Barcelona’s midfield has resources beyond Alexia Putellas, the best player in the previous Champions League.

That continuity in youth development forms the foundation of a Barça side that continues to produce new talent, even amid the financial competition of other projects.