La Masia players Alen Halilovic, Cristian Tello, Giovani dos Santos struggle

Yahoo Sports1 min read • Latest: Jun 21, 2026, 9:00 AM

Last updated Jun 21, 2026

La Masia players Alen Halilovic, Cristian Tello, Giovani dos Santos struggle
Summary

Reports highlight the careers of three former La Masia players: Alen Halilovic, Cristian Tello, and Giovani dos Santos. Despite arriving with great promise, all three failed to meet expectations. Halilovic enjoyed a transient career after leaving Barcelona, while Tello and dos Santos also faced challenges establishing themselves at the club. Currently, Halilovic is at Fortuna Sittard, Tello is without a club after a stint in the UAE, and dos Santos's career trajectory has similarly not materialized as predicted.

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By the Numbers
  • Alen Halilovic joined Barcelona in 2014 but made only one senior appearance.
  • Cristian Tello faced stiff competition and left in 2017 after loan spells.
  • Giovani dos Santos broke into the first team in 2007 but did not establish a strong role.
  • Halilovic currently plays for Fortuna Sittard; Tello is without a club.
  • The careers of these players raise questions about the development process at La Masia.
Latest Updates
  • 9:00 AMYahoo SportsThree forgotten wonderkids of La Masia who failed to live up to the expectations
What they're saying
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Barcelona’s La Masia academy has produced some of the finest players the game has ever seen, including Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique.However, not eve...

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