Barcelona Makes History: 13 Ballon d'Or Awards and La Masia Coaches Dominate Global Football

Barcelona Club proves to be the best talent factory in global football, not only through its production of 13 Ballon d'Or awards among male and female players but also through coaches who have become among the best in the history of the game, with confirmation that La Masia Academy represents a global reference in star-making.

Luis Enrique and Pep Guardiola, who began their coaching careers with Barcelona's reserve team, are today among the world's top coaches, according to the Spanish newspaper 'Mundo Deportivo'.

Luis Enrique was crowned with the UEFA Champions League title for the third time in his coaching career, the first with Barcelona and twice with Paris Saint-Germain. The newspaper quoted the 'CBS' network saying about him: 'He is the best, and if he continues at this level, he will be the best in history.' The Spanish coach also recalled his experience with Barcelona, confirming that if he hadn't been given the opportunity to coach the reserve team in the 2009/2010 season, he wouldn't have reached where he is today, before leading the first team between 2014 and 2017 and achieving the historic treble in 2015.

As for Pep Guardiola, he started his career with Barcelona B, leading them from the third division to the second division B in the 2007/2008 season, before going on to become one of the most successful coaches in history, having achieved 41 titles, surpassed only by Sir Alex Ferguson with 49 titles. It is noted that Guardiola considers his first coaching achievement with the reserve team as the most important in his career, as it marked a true start to his path.

The 'France Football' magazine, in its 2019 ranking of the top 50 coaches in history, pointed out that four out of the top seven coaches have ties to Barcelona, namely Rinus Michels, Johan Cruyff, Pep Guardiola, and Helenio Herrera. The 'Sports Illustrated' magazine adjusted some rankings in 2025, with Barcelona coaches continuing to be present at the top.

International media reports, including 'Le Parisien' and 'L'Équipe', expected Enrique to continue enhancing his historical position after his recent achievements, describing him as one of the most prominent coaching minds in modern football.

The material also touched on the achievements of the La Masia Academy, which produced 13 Ballon d'Or awards, including 8 for Lionel Messi, 3 for Aitana Bonmatí, and 2 for Alexia Putellas, alongside historic scenes such as the 2010 Ballon d'Or podium featuring Messi, Xavi, and Iniesta.

The report confirmed that Barcelona stands out globally as the club that presented three of the greatest football players in history in its jersey, namely Lionel Messi, Diego Maradona, and Johan Cruyff, in addition to its significant impact on football through its academy, women's team, and other sports.