Barcelona's Academy System

So I am listening to KRLD 1080 today and they are doing a story about Barcelona and their system of recruiting boys as young as 6 or 8, I can't remember exactly which age, and they go there to live, get educated, and of course learn to play soccer.  It got me thinking how I would feel, would I be able to basically hand my son over to them to raise.  They definitely turn out some great players including Messi who has been with them since he was 13 years old.  Do we have "schools" like that here in the US?  Don't let Jerry Jones hear about this or he will start one here in Dallas for American football.

What are your thought about their system?

First, it is very, very rare for a player to go into residency at 13. Most of the time it doesn't happen until 15 or even later.

The vast majority of academy players are all within reasonable commuting distance for the parents. In England there are even geographical restrictions on academy players.

And yes, as a parent I would have a hard time turning my son over at such a young age.

[quote="Beast_04"]So I am listening to KRLD 1080 today and they are doing a story about Barcelona and their system of recruiting boys as young as 6 or 8, I can't remember exactly which age, and they go there to live, get educated, and of course learn to play soccer.  It got me thinking how I would feel, would I be able to basically hand my son over to them to raise.  They definitely turn out some great players including Messi who has been with them since he was 13 years old.  Do we have "schools" like that here in the US?  Don't let Jerry Jones hear about this or he will start one here in [color=#ff3333][b]Dallas for American football[/b][/color].

What are your thought about their system?


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There was a special on 60 Minutes last Fall on their system and facility where they train.  The age where kids can enter is 11yrs.