Ilaix Moriba: 'La Masia made me more mature'

“The Masia has made me grow and mature as person” says Ilaix Moriba in the bimonthly newsletter sent to the families of residents to keep them up to date with what’s happening with their children. The first issue of the year features Ilaix Moriba, who has been at the club since the U10s and is now in the U19s and even getting to debut with the senior team.

“My first team debut was a dream come true” he says. “They told me I was playing the day before and I couldn’t sleep. It’s such a dream after all these years of hard work. All that work was worth it just for those 80 minutes.”

“At La Masia you have choice but to mature. They help and guide you a lot. But a lot of things depend on you - rigour, constancy, work and everything is taught from a young age. Since I was little I have been coming to Camp Nou to watch the team and to now have played in the stadium with these players is just incredible.”

“I remember my time with Ansu Fati at La Masia. We have grown up here and have a close relationship. The residency has been the best years of my life. But my main goal is still to help Barça B win promotion to Division 2A if we can. We nearly did it last year and it’s a thorn in our side. We are a very young team but we are really up for it and want to show that sometimes age is just a number.” 

“Young people here should appreciate how privileged they are to be playing here every day and to always be supportive of each other. I remember the days with Robert Navarro and Pablo Moreno, who gained experience from the higher level and helped us to win games when they came back. I really admired them. I tried to learn from them, to be a good team-mate and not feel jealous. It makes you a better person, and a better player, and the team benefits.”

The newsletter can be downloaded from this link. It also contains interviews with the technical secretary of youth basketball, Juan Carlos Navarro, and recent futsal debutant Bernat Povill, continuing the theme of La Masia residents who have played with their senior teams this season.

Navarro also feels that the youngsters should appreciate how lucky they are to be where they are and “make use of all the services at La Masia. It is very important for us that players that were taught in our academy are getting to debut for their senior teams.” There have been three such basketball players already this term. 

The issue includes a description of all those services, and also how all the players are undergoing dual education, to ensure that they not only improve in a sporting sense but also continue their academic training, which will be of assistance to them both now and in the future.”

It also includes a special guide to resting and sleeping properly. In short, a whole series of essential guidelines and services to ensure that the young athletes at La Masia are learning in all senses of the word, not just sport.