Lionel Messi, Xavi, Carlos Puyol, Pep Guardiola, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, Victor Valdes, Thiago Alcantara, Pedro...
The list of superstars to graduate from Barcelona's La Masia academy is long - too long to list in one article. Every club in Europe wants to snatch a talent from their famous youth set-up when they become available - and Manchester United are no exception.
Back in 2020, United persuaded Marc Juardo, a 16-year-old right-back, to leave the Spanish sun for Manchester. It was a transfer that left Barcelona chiefs furious, as the La Liga giants tried to tie him down to a new long-term contract after weeks of talks.
Barcelona fans thought Juardo would be part of their next great team. Midfielders Pedri, 21, and Gavi, 19, have both won the Golden Boy prize in recent years. That gong is given to the best young footballer in Europe, with Jude Bellingham winning it in 2023.
Alejandro Balde, a 20-year-old full-back, has also become a Spain international over the last two years and was named in La Liga's Team of the Season last time out. And back-up goalkeeper Inaki Pena, 24, has impressed when called upon by manager Xavi.
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Add those four young players into a squad that includes the likes of Ronald Araujo, Robert Lewandowski, Joao Felix, Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Ilkay Gundogan, and you've got a team that's good enough to compete for silverware.
Juardo was expected to be part of such a squad... until United came calling. The Red Devils added him to their academy team - where he worked with Spanish coaches - and gave the defender intense English lessons to help him settle in Manchester.
Juardo was handed a professional contract after turning 17 in April 2021 and a first-team debut seemed inevitable... but it never came. Although Juardo played in the EFL Trophy and sat on the bench for a Premier League game, he never played for the first team.
Marc Juardo never made the grade at Manchester United (Getty Images)Do you remember Marc Juardo at Manchester United? Let us know in the comments below!
The right-back was eventually sold to Espanyol, Barcelona's local rivals, on deadline day last summer. Now 19, Juardo is still waiting to make his first-team debut and is assigned to Espanyol's B team, where he features regularly. He also plays for Spain at U20 level.
Although Juardo never made the grade at United, he does have fond memories of his three-year spell in England. Playing alongside the likes of Kobbie Manioo and Alejandro Garnacho, he helped the Red Devils win the FA Youth Cup in May 2022.
Juardo also posted an emotional message to United fans after signing for Espanyol. "It is not easy to say goodbye to what has been my house for the last three years but the time is perfect to start a new chapter in my career," he wrote on X.
"I have had the opportunity to play with some unbelievable teammates, that I will now call friends and worked with fantastic coaches that helped me along the process. There are too many people who works in the club to thank, they made my job easier. I’ll always support this football club. Once a red, always a red. Thank you, Manchester United."
Juardo is still just a teenager and has plenty of time to make a name for himself in football. United and Barcelona fans will keep a close eye on the youngster's career.
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