A generation that surpasses that of Messi

The 2007 generation is already making history. Lamine Yamal, Marc Bernal and Pau Cubarsi lead this new crop of players, who have recently been joined by Xavi Espart and Jofre Torrents. This year they are celebrating their 19th birthday and all have now found themselves in the first team, but their lives were intertwined a long time ago in the club's youth ranks. They arrived at La Masia at a very young age. In fact, they eclipse and even surpass the so-called generation of '87, when the cadet team of which Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and Leo Messi were part went down in history for winning all the championships they played without losing a single match.Xavi Espart was the last to make the leap. The reaction of Cubarsi when he saw that the defender was making his debut was very significant: he approached the Catalan and encouraged him effusively. "We have shared many moments together. He was excellent," said the Estanyol defender after the match. Espart arrived at La Masia as a first-year benjamin in football 7, while Cubarsi arrived somewhat later, in the alevin category.

We shared many moments together with Xavi Espart and he was excellent

Cubarsí

Marc Bernal was one of the youngest of the 2007 generation to sign for La Masia. The midfielder was a pre-benjamin when he started to defend the colors of Barcelona. Last season, Hansi Flick had high hopes for him, but a serious knee injury left him on the sidelines. In this second part of the 2025-26 campaign he is growing at a steady pace and is acquiring more and more stripes. Lamine Yamal, on the other hand, arrived at the club when he was just seven years old.

Key pieces

Cubarsi, Lamine Yamal and Marc Bernal are now three untouchable players in the first team and make the difference. Their great connection on the pitch is the result of the many years they have spent together in the dressing room. Now two more players from the 2007 generation are joining them: Jofre Torrents and Xavi Espart. The former, who joined as an U12 player, made his debut against Mallorca, while the latter made his debut last Tuesday in NewcastleHansi Flick has no qualms about giving opportunities to younger players and is always full of praise for the work of the youth academy. Since he arrived, he has been impressed with the youth academy. "Injuries are something we have to manage, but we have a lot of players from La Masia with a lot of quality," he said a few days ago.

Injuries are something we have to manage, but we have a lot of players from La Masia with a lot of quality

Hansi Flick

Cesc, Pique and Messi

This generation of 2007 already surpasses the legendary generation of 1987, which included Cesc Fabregas, Gerard Pique and Leo Messi. The three coincided in the cadet category, in a team that went down in history for winning all the championships it played without losing a single match. However, only these three managed to consolidate themselves later in the first team. The rest of the squad did not succeed at the Spotify Camp Nou. Now, however, it seems that Barcelona's present and future will have a clear date of birth: 2007.