Jul 30, 2010
The disappointment from the Korean football fans after FC Barcelona decided to leave out its Spain national team players as the club travels to the Far East might be somewhat mitigated with an event being held off the pitch.
Barcelona’s technical director Andoni Zubizarreta will host a seminar in Seoul to give words of advice to the K-League clubs regarding youth football development. Former Spain national team goalkeeper Zubizarreta, who holds the record as the most capped Spain international of all time with 126 appearances, will speak to the attendees about the trend of football’s youth development around the world and Barcelona’s renowned youth programs for various age groups.
Barcelona’s youth academy, La Masia, has been one of the most resourceful youth club systems in the world of football. The list of graduates include the latest Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, and most of the Catalan club’s first team regulars including Andres Iniesta, Xavi, and Carles Puyol who also helped Spain to win the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa for the first time in history this past summer.
Thirteen-year old Korean prospect Baek Seung-Ho is currently playing for Barcelona’s U-13 side, Barcelona Infantil B.
The seminar will be held in Seoul’s Mayfield Hotel and Resort on August 3rd, with the special match between Barcelona and K-League All-Stars taking place on the 4th. Attending the event are youth football directors of the 15 K-League clubs among other officials. Fifty additional seats will be available or the public on a first-come, first-serve basis.
