Alabama ODP
F.C. Barcelona and Real Madrid Foundation
Madrid and Barcelona (Spain)
March 27 to April 4, 2019
F.C. Barcelona Program
This program offers valuable insight into the youth development of F.C. Barcelona.
The Academy
Developing home grown players through its youth academy has been an important pillar of the club’s success. Products of the youth academy who now play on the first team include famous names like Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, Gerard Piqué, Jordi Alba, Sergi Roberto and Sergio Busquets.
The F.C. Barcelona youth academy is known as ‘La Masia’, or ‘The Farmhouse’ in English. The academy is world-renowned, and arguably played an important role in the Spanish national team's success at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and also in the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. The academy’s homegrown greats Andrés Iniesta, Lionel Messi and Xavi were all three top contenders for the Ballon d'Or in 2010.
The Club
F.C. Barcelona was founded in 1899 and is considered one of the best clubs in the world today. They are the reigning Copa del Rey champions, having won 29 total, and will play once more for the title against Sevilla F.C. on April 21, 2018. The club has also won 24 La Liga titles, 5 Champions League titles and 12 Spanish Super Cups. F.C. Barcelona was the first European club in history to achieve the ‘continental treble’ twice, winning La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the UEFA Champions League in 2009 and again in 2015.
Gallery
Your Experience Includes
4 Nights accommodation in Madrid in a 3 * hotels
Half Board
All ground transportation throughout program
1 Team Coordinator to be with team at all times, 24/7
Sightseeing and 2 Cultural Activities
1 Training Session with F.C. Barcelona coaches
Training session fields and equipment
Pre-arranged competitive friendly games
Tours Santiago Bernabeu and Estadio Camp Nou
eSoccer promotion products
Social media coverage during your training program
Laundry 3 loads
Optional Items
Additional items such as phone calls, beverages and snacks
Admission fees to any cultural or leisure activities not listed in itinerary
Any other items not specified under the “Program Includes” section
I think going over there is a lot of team camaraderie you can get from these trips, there is a lot of growing up...It was a lot of growth during the trip for the players. I think being in a culture that’s immersed in soccer, the players will never forget that experience.
I would definitely love to repeat it, and I would definitely suggest it to everyone that I know, just because it’s something so amazing and you never get this opportunity again. It’s something that you would dream about doing over and over again, and just something that no one will ever forget.
“I love watching the different coaching styles, I can pick up new things that I can bring back to the U.S. and put into my training sessions. Just being able to see where the top players in the world are able to train and compete I think is fantastic.”
“You have enough time for soccer but also enough time to experience the culture. It is an educational experience that not too many people have the opportunity to participate in.”
Social
Social media coverage during your training program