Mario Balotelli reflects on his time at Barcelona’s La Masia – ‘That team was not legal’ | OneFootball

Over the years, La Masia has become famous as a goldmine of talent who aspire to make it big in the Barcelona first-team, and the recent generation of graduates who have punched above their weight have only furthered that notion.

There is, however, a concurrent set of players who develop at the grassroots level at the club academy and then go on to succeed with flying colours later in their career.

The style of football taught at the academy, after all, may be tailor-made for the Barcelona way, but equips a player well enough to adapt and excel in many various systems of the game.

Italian legend speaks

Speaking to the media earlier today, one such former La Masia graduate who made it big outside Catalonia, Mario Balotelli, commented on his time at the club and how his batch in the academy had a team that was terrifying in every way.

Balotelli his previously gone on record about having spent several months on trial at La Masia in 2006, while he was still attached to Italian club Lumezzane, before he ended up signing for Inter Milan.

“It was very beautiful. They only taught us technique: control and pass to the flight, no tactics,” he began, reflecting on his time at Barcelona’s academy.

Balotelli had a brief stint at La Masia. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

“It was a joy to go to the countryside. That team was not legal, we won 15-0,” he added, touching on the quality that the team possessed.

Speaking about how his time at La Masia moulded him and set certain expectations of his career and time as a professional footballer, he said,

“I was left with a dream there.”

Balotelli then controversially revealed a future dream of his which conflicts with his history as a youth Barcelona player, which will now no longer come true given his age.

“I still have a dream, which is to play for Real Madrid,” he said.

Finally, he concluded his interview by opening up on his future plans and how he is still looking to continue in the top found despite not having offers on his table.

“I want to play another two or three years in a team that gives me confidence.”

Source: SPORT