Becoming a Barça first team player is a privilege that very few can match. There may be different circumstances to achieve it, but the most difficult thing is to settle. If a player does not achieve it, he has no other option than to look for a new destination. Situations of this kind have happened to Héctor Bellerín, Bartra, Sergi Altimira, Marc Roca Abde and Vitor Roque; who this Saturday will face the Blaugrana team with Real Betis.
Similarly, in addition to footballers with a past, shorter or longer, as culés, the Verdiblanca squad has several former targets of FC Barcelona sports management. This is the case of Lo Celso, Sergi Altimira, Isco and Cédric Bakambu. The youth player Assane Diao was also on the table this summer as a low-cost option for the left wing, but he was not considered as a real option.
Three footballers 'made in La Masía' play for Betis
Héctor Bellerín and Marc Bartra spent many years defending the Barça shirt. The right-back, born in Barcelona, spent 8 years of his formative years in the Barça jersey, until he left for Arsenal as a teenager. He returned in September 2022, as a free agent, and left for Sporting de Portugal for 1 million euros in January 2023. Despite not managing to make a name for himself, he went on to play 7 official matches for the Blaugrana team.
Marc Bartra spent much longer at the club. Born in Sant Jaume dels Domenys, he began his formative years at Espanyol and arrived at La Masía at the age of 12. He made his debut with the first team in February 2010, although he did not become part of it until 2013 and remained there until 2016, when he signed for Borussia Dortmund for 8 million euros. He played 103 games with the Blaugrana jersey.
Sergi Altimira also played in the Blaugrana youth ranks. Son of the former coordinator of Barça's youth system, Aureli Altimira, the current Betis pivot left the Blaugrana in 2019, when he moved from the Juvenil B to the A, after several years as a Barça player. Similarly, Marc Roca had a stint, albeit very brief, who before signing for Espanyol's school, was at FC Barcelona.
Abde and Vitor Roque, Betis dangers with a Barça past
However, being trained at Can Barça is not the only way to become part of the senior squad. Abde Ezzalzouli arrived at Barça Atlètic in August 2021, from Hércules in exchange for 2 million euros. That same year he combined the reserve team and the first team, led by Xavi. He played 21 games with his teammates in Primera RFEF and 12 with the seniors. Later, he was on loan at Osasuna, where he played a very important role. He returned in 23/24, but the weight he wanted to have was not what he was going to receive, so after playing two games, Betis bought 50% of his rights for 7.5 million euros.
Vitor Roque arrived as a bombshell signing from Athletico Paranaense. The club paid around 30 million euros for his signing, with some variables that could increase the figure to 61. His arrival took place in January 2024, six months in advance. However, both parties agreed that the best option was an exit given the bad situation the Brazilian was in. So, Betis took him on loan, with an option to buy around 25 million euros for 80% of his rights.
Thus, the six footballers, who wore the Blaugrana shirt at some point in their careers, will face FC Barcelona this Saturday at the Benito Villamarín, at 4:15 p.m. The Verdiblancos will go into the match needing to win in order to climb positions in the table, as well as to break a streak of 4 games without a win.