GENERACION DEL ’87: WHERE ARE THEY NOW?

We all know what happened to Messi, Cesc and Pique – here’s what became of the rest of that top academy side

MARC VALIENTE Defender

Part of Spain’s 2006 Under-20 World Cup-winning team, Marc appeared in only one first-team game in the Copa del Rey. Had five seasons at Real Valladolid; now playing for Maccabi Haifa.

MARC PEDRAZA Midfielder

The box-to-box man left Barça at 15 for city rivals Espanyol, where he became a B team regular. Spent three years at third-division Hospitalet; now with second-tier Numancia.

TONI CALVO Winger

Joined the cantera in 2004 from Gramenet and featured regularly for both Barcelona C and B before spells in Greece, Bulgaria and Cyprus. Spent 2016-17 at Greek side Veria.

ROGER GIRIBET Defender

Played for Terrassa, Balaguer and Asco in the fourth division, before going back to Balaguer as the academy head in 2012. Roger’s also sporting director of Pedro’s charity foundation.

VICTOR SANCHEZ Midfielder

The defensive midfielder was part of Barça’s Treble-winning 2008-09 campaign, playing in 12 games. Joined Espanyol, his current club, in January 2012 after six months in Switzerland.

RAMON MASO Midfielder

He left Los Cules in 2007 after just one first-team outing and spent the next few campaigns in the third and fourth divisions. Ramon is now playing more as a defender with lowly Figueres.

DANI PLANCHERIA Goalkeeper

He played under Pep Guardiola for Barcelona, but then slowly slid further down the leagues. Spells at Hospitalet, Montcada, Santboia and Rubi in tier five preceded retirement in 2014.

FRANCK SONGO’O Forward

Left Barça for Portsmouth in 2005 and had loan spells with Bournemouth, Preston, Palace and Sheffield Wednesday. Has since appeared in MLS, Greece and three times for Cameroon.

SITO RIERA Winger

The brother of former Liverpool winger Albert joined Espanyol in 2007 and later spent time playing in Greece, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Now with Slask Wroclaw in Poland’s top flight.

ORIOL PALENCIA Defender

Released at the age of 18, the full-back played for third-tier Gramenet for three seasons before falling out of love with football. Now creates unique perfumes for Barcelona hotels.