Three La Masia players who left Barcelona and saw their careers collapse

The latest academy story surrounding Barcelona is already raising eyebrows. 

Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez, one of the club’s most promising youngsters, is pushing for a move away from Barça, with PSG emerging as his preferred destination. 

For many, the situation feels uncomfortably familiar, as La Masia has always been a place where patience is rewarded, but history shows that not every young player is willing to wait.

While some departures have gone on to succeed elsewhere, there is a long list of players who left Barcelona too early, chasing faster progress, higher wages or a clearer pathway, only to see their careers lose direction. 

Talent alone has never been enough. Timing matters, and La Masia often provides protection that young players do not realise they need until it is gone.

Here are three La Masia products whose exits promised freedom but delivered frustration.

Gai Assulin – A talent that failed to meet expectations

Gai Assulin never reached his full potential. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Gai Assulin joined Barcelona’s academy in 2003 and was quickly labelled one of its brightest gems. 

His close control, creativity and confidence made him stand out at the youth level, and before long, he was being spoken about as the new Messi. The hype followed him everywhere.

In 2010, Assulin chose to leave Barcelona for Manchester City in search of senior football opportunities. The belief was that regular minutes elsewhere would accelerate his development. 

Instead, the opposite happened. Without Barcelona’s structure and long-term plan, his career became unsettled. 

He moved between clubs, struggled to adapt, and never found consistency. 

The pressure of early comparisons, combined with a lack of stability, slowly drained his confidence. What once looked like a guaranteed top-level career faded into obscurity.

He last played for Serie D side Crema, a club he joined in February 2021 and left at the end of the season.

Marc Guiu – A development stalled

Marc Guiu decided to join Chelsea. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Marc Guiu arrived at La Masia in 2013 and progressed steadily through the youth ranks. 

A dream first-team debut goal suggested Barcelona had uncovered another reliable striker option. However, concerns over playing time and long-term trust led to his departure in 2024.

He ended up signing for Chelsea for a reported €6 million fee. Away from Barcelona, Guiu found the step up far more difficult than expected. 

Minutes have been limited, confidence dipped, and the clarity he once enjoyed under the club’s development system disappeared. 

Instead of growing into a more complete striker, his progress has slowed. 

What should have been a carefully managed transition became a rushed decision, and his early promise has yet to be fulfilled.

Ilaix Moriba – A lost momentum

Ilaix Moriba has been a journeyman. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Ilaix Moriba joined La Masia in 2010 and was long seen as a future Barcelona midfielder. 

By 2021, he was already a regular first-team player, trusted in big matches and praised for his physical presence and energy.

However, contract disputes and financial demands led to a premature exit at RB Leipzig for €16 million and €6 million additional in variables. 

Since leaving Barcelona, Moriba’s career has lacked direction. Frequent loans, limited influence and constant changes have prevented him from building rhythm. 

At Barça, he had continuity and belief. Outside the club, that foundation disappeared, and with it, his upward trajectory.

Now, as Dro weighs up a move to PSG, these stories serve as a reminder that La Masia is not just a pathway, but a shield. 

Leaving Barcelona too early can expose young players before they are ready. For every success story, many careers quietly drift away. 

Sometimes, the hardest decision is staying put, but it can also be the smartest.