Barcelona's youth program, La Masia, has produced some of the greatest football talents in history. It's one of the most prestigious and respected football youth programs in the entire world, where only the best of the best are selected. Among the many legendary graduates of La Masia, the class of 1987 stands head and shoulders above the rest.
This class includes players like Gerard Piqué, Cesc Fàbregas, and last but not least, Lionel Messi. But what if I told you that there was one more—a kid who was ranked even higher than Messi by his youth coaches and teammates? A kid who, instead of Messi, was the main free-kick taker, and was even considered the core of the squad. It might sound hard to believe, but it's true, and it was none other than the La Masia class of 1987.
Early Days at La Masia
Victor Vazquez was born in Barcelona, a Catalan native, and naturally, as a kid, he would support Barcelona, as every young footballer growing up in the area normally does. If you were a kid who loved football growing up in Barcelona, it was your dream to one day wear the proud colors of blue, red, and maroon and play for your city.
Victor Vazquez was one of those kids who had the talent and opportunity to make that dream come true. At the age of 11, he was chosen to join the elite ranks of Barcelona's prestigious La Masia youth program. Many legends have risen through the ranks of La Masia like Pep Guardiola, Xavi Iniesta, Carles Puyol, and much more, but there was never a class more promising than the La Masia class of 1987.
The Golden Generation of 1987
The players born in that year won every single title there was in their youth competitions for at least five continuous seasons, and matches, where they would win 10-nil, were not uncommon for the legendary class. In defense, there was Gerard Piqué, who was seen as the most mature of the group, which I think he never really changed from, then in midfield, Cesc Fàbregas distributed passes, initiated plays, and showed flashes of a great midfielder and maestro. And of course, a skillful Argentine kid who loved to dribble the ball and attack, but didn't really talk much, who at the time was known only as Leo, but the main star was a little further ahead, a person who was always sending the ball to the back of the net and the star of the team, Victor Vazquez. He could play left-wing, right-wing, or even attacking mid, as he was so good at playing with both feet, had incredible pace, and was great at scoring goals.
Vazquez was so good, that the La Masia class of '87 was once nicknamed "Henricion Vasquez," or in English, "The Vasquez Generation." I know it's hard to believe, but it's the truth. Even Cesc Fàbregas admits it in an interview when asked about his memories of the iconic La Masia class and who was the best. He, of course, said it was himself, but after laughing and saying it was a joke, he then said, "We were a great team, but everyone pointed out that Victor was the best." They would always compete to see who would score more goals; they would go in for head-to-head duels. If one scored four in one game, the other would hit five, which says a lot, seeing how Vazquez even pushed Messi to try harder than his rival, and Gerard Piqué said, "When Leo arrived, the best of the team was Victor," a player who was a natural leader for the group, but whatever happened to Victor Vazquez?
Challenges and Setbacks
What became of the man whom the greatest generation of La Masia graduates was named after? Unfortunately, it's a story we hear all too often in football—physical problems on top of serious injuries ultimately halted Victor Vazquez's rise to football greatness. Minor injuries during his youth days would cause him to lose a significant amount of speed he once had, which, by many accounts, was even faster than Messi.
These minor injuries would cause him to stay longer in Barcelona's second team while his peers would continue on and play huge roles in first teams, with Fàbregas going to Arsenal, Piqué moving to Manchester United, and Messi advancing to the first team and enchanting the hearts of every FC Barcelona fan, while the star of the legendary Barcelona class was left behind and devastated. Vazquez would go through a period of anxiety during this long wait, where many were left wondering what would become of him.
After all, he was the face of the class of 1987. Many Barça fans knew him and expected him to outperform Messi, and not everyone can handle that kind of mental pressure. It's not an easy thing to do and can be very negative to the development of not only players but to everyday people like you and me as well.
Brief Glimpses of Glory
After a few years of going nowhere, on February 13, 2009, after a Barcelona second-team match against Villarreal's team, on top of the injuries that had already slowed him down as a player, Vazquez was diagnosed with a dislocated knee. Doctors told him it would only be four months of recovery, but even after nine long months, Vazquez could still feel the pain in his knees. Vazquez would finally get his chance for Barcelona's first team in December 2010 during the Champions League group stages against Russian club FC Rubin Kazan.
Pep Guardiola would put him in as a substitute, where he scored his first and only goal in a 2-nil win for the Catalan club. Everything seemed to be turning around for Vazquez, and the hope he once had of being a star for his club did not fade just yet. However, his contract was due to expire in 2011, just a few months away. Unfortunately, Barcelona had no plans to renew it. Vazquez was heartbroken to see that the club who had raised him and once held him as the future of their team had suddenly cast him aside.
Rebirth in Belgium
That never stopped him from working hard, In 2011, he moved to Belgium to play for Club Brugge. And although it wasn't a top European club or anywhere close to as popular as Barcelona, he embraced it and dedicated himself to playing as best as he could for the club.
There, he would rejuvenate his career, being known as a masterful and composed playmaker who could pass beautifully and link up with any of his teammates. He even scored 25 goals in 165 appearances. In the 2014-2015 season, he would be named the Belgian Footballer of the Year. With Club Brugge, he would win one Belgian league title and one Belgian cup.
However, after four years, Vazquez never turned out to be the legendary player everyone thought he would once become back in his days at La Masia. His early injuries took too much out of the flare and speed that he once had, and the unbelievable pressure he had to recover quickly and perform was just too heavy to handle. It was never a lack of discipline or failure to work hard; it's just that not everyone can be fortunate enough to avoid such injuries and overcome them. After all, we humans are very fragile beings.
Legacy and Resilience
Vazquez never let that stop his love and passion for the game. Even though he's fallen from his insane potential, he remains humble, hard-working, and dedicated—something we can all look up to and learn from. As you often hear stories of footballers falling apart, turning to drugs or alcohol, or even ending up in prison after losing the limelight or suffering injuries, it hasn't been an easy path for Victor Vazquez. But he continues to push through, even if it means him being a journeyman, playing in Mexico, Qatar, Belgium, MLS, and now in India.
Vazquez is loved by his teammates, coaches, and club supporters. He's known as a leader, role model, and kind man who works hard for his family and gives it his all in both training and matches, keeping his feet on the ground and staying humble no matter how prestigious his footballing background might be compared to his peers.
For that, we give the man our utmost respect. So remember, no matter your situation in life, make the most out of it, stay kind and humble, and enjoy the good times as they might not always be there forever. Vazquez might have been one of the biggest "what-ifs" or superstars that never were, but what he did become was a respectable player, teammate, father, and person.
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