Óscar Mingueza said it after the game. “I dedicate it to my people because only they know how many hours of work and how much sacrifice it costs to play for this club.” At 21 years old, the central defender fulfilled, with his neat match at the Olimpiyskiy, the dream of any La Masia player, especially if, as in his case, he enters the age of pre-baby, at seven. Coincidentally, or not, Mingueza shared a starting team with Carles Aleñá (23 years ago in January), another footballer who also started in prebenjamines, who was the image of La Masia very recently, in his youth age; and that he already had to go to the military service at Betis. “They deserve it because they work very well. When you do it well, opportunities come to you. At La Masía there is a lot of level and I'm happy for them.” Aleñá spoke in the plural because Riqui Puig (21 years old) and Konrad (19) also debuted in the Champions League. And Barça won 0-4.
La Masia raised its voice in Kiev and there is a certain symbolism in the minutes for Mingueza, Aleñá, Riqui Puig and Konrad. Barça, in serious economic crisis, has been denying the quarry that it boasts so much for years. Shielded in the argument of the requirement of the titles, which made it necessary to incorporate ready-made players and immediate performance, the participation of the 'planter' in recent times had been diminished to the point that Sergi Roberto had been, until Ansu Fati (18 years old) the last player raised at home to have settled in the first team.
Maybe Mingueza, Aleñá and Riqui in Kiev (the central Ronald Araújo is missing, who, at 21, is injured but is already part of the first team) remains like a summer cloud but, of course, it will allow the club to reflect and, especially, the candidates for the Barça presidency. The renewal of Messi and the war of names (Haaland, Mbappé) that will be unleashed in the campaign may once again hide under the carpet the obligation for Barça to look down again and reconnect with its origins. Soccer players with enthusiasm who know the idiosyncrasies of the club in which they grew up, they know the land they walk on and the city they are in; they would almost pay to wear that shirt, to recover the illusion of the partner and set the course for the entity.
Koeman's work will be key here. The Dutchman, who had started his commitment to young people, especially Pedri (18 years old this Wednesday) in addition to Ansu, had stopped in the last matches, taking refuge in the hierarchy of the sacred cows that still remain in Can Barça despite the marches of Suárez, Rakitic or Vidal. The party in Kiev may be the final argument for the Dutch to let go of the youngest. In the end, that and no other can be his great advantage to be a consensus coach for the future candidates for the presidency.
It was not only the homegrown players. Also those who behave like them like Dest (20 years old), whose drive begins to put him ahead of Sergi Roberto; and like Pedri, who could almost be considered from La Masia due to his lifelong status as a culé and his knowledge of the game that has allowed Barça to sell a style and a way of being with the outside world. In Kiev, Barça played with a starting eleven with an average age almost six years younger than the team that came out to receive eight goals against Bayern. Rivals and situations cannot be compared. But yes, the illusion that the objectives should make the protagonists in those two scenarios. And, hungry, it is clear that the Kiev winners. And that La Masia raises its voice with multiple proper names. At least, so that she can be counted on in the immediate future.