FCBARCELONA.CAT

07.02.2009 12:25

Academy proves its worth at international level

Anna Segura

10 players who have been through Barça’s academy have been called up for their national sides to play in games that are to take place next week.

This season former academy players are a key factor in Josep Guardiola’s team, and that hasn’t gone unnoticed by national coaches who have called up 10 of them for international duty.

Six with full national sides

This Friday the Spanish squad was announced with Barça and Liverpool being the clubs to provide most players. Former academy players Puyol, Xavi and Iniesta are already virtual fixtures in Vicente del Bosque’s team, and this time around they are accompanied by Gerard Piqué and Sergio Busquets who’ve been selected for the first time.

The sixth ex-academy player to play with his national side is Leo Messi, who this Wednesday will be turning out for Argentina against France featuring Henry and Abidal.

Under-21s

In addition four former Barça academy players have been called up for the Spanish under-21 side. They are first teamer Bojan Krkic and Barça Atlètic players Botía, Jeffren and Miño. The three reserve team players have been selected for the first time.

Long list

There are still more academy products who will be turning out for national sides. Lower age group Spanish teams contain six Barça players, while Armand Ella and Gael Etock have been called up for the Cameroon under-17s and Mauro Icardi for the Argentine under-17s.