The new Masia, opened on October 20, 2011, is a modern, functional building designed to support the intellectual, personal, and social growth of young athletes. It features nearly 6,000 square meters across five floors, with three floors dedicated to the academy and two reserved for future use. The building cost around 11 million euros and took 19 months to construct. The new Masia accommodates 83 athletes, with rooms designed for comfort and specialized needs, such as taller beds for basketball players. It also includes facilities like a kitchen, dining room, classrooms, and a leisure room, providing a warm, family-like environment. Before this, the old Masia, a historic building next to Camp Nou, served as the club’s youth residence from 1979 to 2011.

FC Barcelona's La Masia youth academy officially began in 1979. It has undoubtedly contributed to the team's success in La Liga. La Masia, or “The Farmhouse" has produced some of the greatest soccer players in history, including Pep Guardiola, Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Piqué, Víctor Valdés, and Lionel Messi. The academy is known for teaching the tiki-taka playing style—marked by short passes, fluid movement, and possession—which many graduates brought to the core of Barcelona’s team. In 2010, La Masia made history as the first academy to train all three Ballon d'Or finalists—Messi, Iniesta, and Xavi—in the same year. In total, it has produced 21 elite players who each played over 100 league games and contributed to La Liga, Copa del Rey, and UEFA title wins.

What sets La Masia apart is its emphasis on both technical excellence and holistic development. While most academies focus solely on soccer, La Masia prioritizes education and personal growth. As Carles Folguera, the academy’s residence director, explained: “we prepare [the players] for sport, but also to have another future if sport does not work out.” Unlike typical European academies where players often leave school by 15, La Masia balances academics with athletics, instilling values like effort and humility. This long-term approach has not only produced world-class athletes but also well-rounded individuals—solidifying La Masia as the foundation of Barcelona’s sustained success.