'Messi a source of pride for La Masia': Barcelona make big statement ahead of final

Barcelona president Joan Laporta believes the FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will be another example of La Masia's influence on world football, with Lionel Messi leading Argentina and several Barcelona players representing Spain.Laporta is in New York ahead of Sunday's final at New York/New Jersey Stadium, where current and former Barcelona players will feature on both sides. Spain's squad includes eight Barcelona players, while Messi will captain Argentina.The Barcelona president said the club's academy will once again be in focus on football's biggest stage. He added that seeing so many La Masia graduates in a World Cup final reflects the success of the club's youth system, regardless of who wins the trophy.Laporta also spoke about the significance of seeing Messi and Lamine Yamal on opposite sides in the final. While he praised Messi's contribution to Barcelona over the years, he described Yamal as the player who will carry the club forward."Messi has also reached the final, and I'm delighted," Laporta told RAC1. "He's a source of pride for La Masia. Messi is the past and the present, and Lamine (Yamal) is the present and the future. We're very happy to have what is the genuine Barça style of play."As president, I'm proud to have developed these two players at home, and if we add Joan Garcia, Eric Garcia, [Pau] Cubarsi, who's having a spectacular World Cup, [Dani] Olmo, Gavi, Pedri, Ferran [Torres]... It's spectacular."Barcelona will have a strong presence in the final, with academy graduates and first-team players spread across both squads.The title clash between Argentina and Spain will not only decide the next world champions but also provide another stage for La Masia products, from Messi to Yamal and Barcelona's Spain contingent, to leave their mark on international football.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.