Barcelona president Joan Laporta has highlighted the impact of La Masia on Sundays World Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Barcas famed academy has produced nine players that will be in the squads for the title game in New Jersey, eight for La Roja Lamine Yamal, Gavi, Pau Cubars, Dani Olmo, Eric Garcia, Alejandro Grimaldo, Marc Cucurella and Vctor Muoz and Argentina captain Lionel Messi.Messi is the most famous of its graduates and the 39-year-old will try to help his country win a second successive world title at the weekend against the European champions.Laporta, who is in New York, told RAC1: Messi has also reached the final and I am happy. It is [a source of] pride for La Masia.Messi is the past and present and Lamine is the present and future. We are very happy to have created a genuine system of playing at Bara. As president it gives me enormous pride to have trained these two players at our home and if we add that we [as a club] have Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, Cubars, who is having a spectacular World Cup, Olmo, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran Its spectacular.Table of ContentsBarcelona chief Laporta hopes referee clamps down on Argentina physicalityLaporta relishing time among creme de la creme of world footballBarcelona chief Laporta hopes referee clamps down on Argentina physicalitySundays game will see a clash of styles with Spains possession-heavy gameplan coming up against the aggression and determination of Argentina.The South Americans got away with a lot in the semi-final win over England and Laporta hopes referee Slavko Vincic clamps down early on their gamesmanship.He added: It is the best game that could be played, of different styles and the referee must be strong. Argentina are more aggressive and the Spanish national team plays with a style of play more like that of Bara. Bara is the best there is and everyone recognises it.Laporta relishing time among creme de la creme of world footballLaporta has been in the United States since Monday and says it has proven to be a hugely beneficial trip so far.We have been to many events and had many meetings, he said. We have been with FIFA, La Liga, the [Spanish] Federation, who invited us. These are days of great intensity alongside the crme de la crme of world football.[La Liga president] Javier Tebas and [Spanish Football Federation president] Rafael Louzn are also here. We were able to have dinner and talk about football in general. I am very grateful to the Federation and the treatment they are giving us. We were also with [FIFA president Gianni] Infantino and his FIFA Board and we have talked a lot. Topics Argentina National Football Team FC Barcelona Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi Spain National Football Team Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read FIFA to decide on further steps in response to insensitive Argentina banner Nicholas McGee 16th July, 2026 World Cup final: Yamal and Porro miss training ahead of Spain-Argentina clash Nicholas McGee 16th July, 2026 Bellingham quells Messi confrontation during heated World Cup semi-final Mitch Fretton 16th July, 2026 Tottenhams Romero labels Gary Neville stupid after dumping England out of World Cup Mitch Fretton 16th July, 2026 UK Prime Minister Starmer wishes both teams well for the World Cup final, especially Spain after No 10 demand investigation into Argentina banner Jon Fisher 16th July, 2026 Tuchel to remain England boss despite limp World Cup exit Jon Fisher 16th July, 2026
