History made as La Masia field 7 out of 11 starters for Spain in 5-3 demolition of France at 2024 Paris Olympics

La Masia took center stage as Spain beat France 5-3 in the Gold medal match, where 7 out of 11 starters for Spain were La Masia graduates.

History made as La Masia field 7 out of 11 starters for Spain in 5-3 demolition of France at 2024 Paris Olympics

7 out of the 11 starters for Spain in the final were La Masia graduates (Via X/@SEFutbol)

As Spain claimed Gold at the Paris Olympics, several fans on social media sang praises to FC Barcelona. The fact that seven out of eleven players on the pitch were La Masia products, was baffling to the extent that many compared it to the situation for the Spanish National team from 2008-2012.

La Masia is known for its unmatched ability to churn out world class talent, and the same was on display as Spain beat hosts France in the Gold medal match. The final score read 5-3 as Spain finally put the game to bed in extra-time. Other than Fermin Lopez, Barcelona had another six players that started the game against a French side worthy of winning any competition.

YouTube video

Besides Lopez, Eric Garcia, Arnau Tenas, Abel Ruiz, Sergio Gomez, Juan Miranda and Pau Cubarsi are all La Masia products. While Lopez, Cubarsi and Garcia play for Barcelona, the others have moved to different clubs as they progressed through the ranks.

As things stand, Barcelona will have to find a way to accommodate both Cubarsi and Lopez in Hansi Flick‘s squad for the new season.

Thierry Henry ‘proud’ of French side despite heartbreaking defeat in final

Les Bleus were forced to accept defeat in the Gold medal match as Spain came out on top after a 120-minute battle. Even though La Masia boys outshone several Premier League talents fielded by the French, former FC Barcelona and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry claimed that he was ‘proud’ of his boys.

France
Thierry Henry is proud of what the French squad achieved at the Olympics (Via X/@brfootball & The Mirror)
We were able to recover and get back into the game. It wasn't easy to build this team up, but I'm proud of the work we did.
Thierry Henry said in a post-match press conference via The Mirror

Fans recalled how ‘difficult’ it was to build the French squad after repeated rejections from several players across Europe.

As football at the 2024 Paris Olympics comes to a close, fans have a lot to look forward to. From world class La Masia talents to promising players in the Premier League and Ligue 1, the future is bright for the sport. In the third place deciding game, Achraf Hakimi and Morocco claimed Bronze against Egypt in a 6-0 demolition at La Beaujoire Stadium.

In case you missed it: