Messi talks about Barça's use of La Masia and Messidependencia

Leo Messi arrived at Barcelona when he was 13. He jumped through the youth categories and was given a first team debut by Frank Rijkaard in Portugal in a friendly when he was 16. His path was the same as many before him and many more will take the same route. Messi is the fruit of La Masia and now he analyses the club's academy in an exclusive interview with SPORT:  

Do you think there should be more emphasis on La Masia?

It's the philosophy of this club, especially in the last few years. Since Guardiola, we've seen more players coming from the academy. In really recent times it's been lost a little and important players have left the academy for other teams where they see themselves getting more chances. 

Do you understand that? Does it worry you? 

It's strange that they leave the biggest club in the world for a smaller one for more chances, being so young and not wanting to wait. Teams come in for them from England or Germany, like with the kid of 16 who was promised to train and play with the first team (Sergi Gomez at Dortmund). Obviously it can't happen with everyone but there are players that deserve that [chance] here, too, which would show the kids that it's not impossible to make the Barcelona first team. 

For you, what's the Barça style?

A little of what we're talking about now. The club's philosophy is to bring kids through the academy, playing in the same way. Sometimes players come from outside and it's hard for them to adapt to Barça's style. It seems easy but it isn't. We were born with this and we spent so long with the club, knowing what it's about, how they play, how to be a step ahead when you receive the ball, knowing where your teammates are. It's not easy to adapt, no matter how good the players that are signed are. Obviously, when you're professional and you have quality, you pick it up quicker, but it always takes time. That's the club's philosophy, which is different to others. 

How's it changed recently?

As a club, we try to maintain it. Different coaches have been an gone with other philosophies, other ways of understanding football, of playing the game and it's changed as the years have passed. It depends on the manager at any moment. 

When they say “Messidependencia” what do you feel? Do you think it's a normal comment? 

It's crazy [to say] that the best club in the world depends on just one player. If that's the case, something's being done wrong because Barcelona have great players to say that they depend on just one. We're talking of top level players, the best in the world and it's crazy to say that Barcelona have Messidependencia.

We've seen some big celebrations lately (PSG, Madrid), howcome? Were they planned?

No. They were all spontaneous. It's just happiness after achieving something almost impossible, like against PSG. I thought that after that game we'd made a statement in the competition. Then there's the one against Madrid, which are always special marches that we always want to win.  

Do you want to say anything with these celebrations, stood still looking to the crowd?

No. I just let the joy flow.