LaLiga FC Futures returns with another edition. The excitement of youth football is back at the Estadio de la Cerámica for the XXXII Ascale LaLiga FC Futures National Tournament, taking place from June 6 to 8 in Vila-real and featuring the youth academies of all 20 LaLiga EA Sports clubs.
Looking back over the years, many of the tournament's standout players have gone on to become legends of LaLiga and global football icons. Here are 10 players who once competed in this tournament and later enjoyed brilliant professional careers:
Andrés Iniesta (1996)
Iniesta participated in the first edition of the tournament in 1996, representing Albacete. His standout performance caught the attention of FC Barcelona, who soon recruited him into their academy. He debuted with Barça's first team in 2003, and the rest is history: World Cup winner in 2010 (scoring the winning goal), two-time European champion, four-time Uefa Champions League winner, and nine-time LaLiga EA Sports champion, among countless other honors.
Gerard Piqué (1999)
Piqué played for FC Barcelona's U12 team in the 1999 edition. His leadership and defensive prowess were already evident at a young age. After a stint at Manchester United, he returned to Barça in 2009 and became one of the greatest defenders in football history, winning a World Cup, a European Championship, four Uefa Champions Leagues, and eight LaLiga EA Sports titles.
Fernando Torres (1995)
Torres represented Atlético de Madrid in the 1995 edition. His natural goal-scoring ability and talent marked him as one of the tournament’s brightest prospects. He went on to become an Atlético legend and a key figure in Spain’s golden generation, winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships.
Gavi (2016)
Gavi took part with Real Betis in the 2016 edition, held in Puerto de la Cruz. His game vision and maturity were striking, even in a clásico against Real Madrid. He later joined FC Barcelona and is now a cornerstone of the first team, already winning two LaLiga EA Sports titles.
Takefusa Kubo (2012)
Kubo played for FC Barcelona in 2012. His technical skills and vision set him apart as one of the most talented young prospects. Although he later joined Real Madrid, it was at Real Sociedad where he truly flourished, becoming one of LaLiga’s brightest stars with 195 appearances, 28 goals, and 13 assists to date.
Lamine Yamal (2019)
The FC Barcelona prodigy participated in several editions, with 2019 standing out as his most impressive—he was named the tournament’s best player. Now one of the world’s biggest football stars, he has already won the European Championship with Spain and LaLiga EA Sports with Barça at just 17 years old.
Rodrigo Hernández (2008)
The current Ballon d'Or winner played in the tournament as an Atlético de Madrid youth player. He later moved to Villarreal CF, where he made his top-flight debut, and then returned to Atlético before catching the eye of Manchester City. He’s now recognized as the best player in the world.
Pau Cubarsí (2018)
Cubarsí impressed at LaLiga FC Futures with his defensive strength, ball-playing ability, and even long-range shooting—scoring several goals. He’s now a first-team regular at FC Barcelona and a Spanish international, having recently won LaLiga EA Sports.
Dani Carvajal (2002)
Carvajal represented Real Madrid in the 2002 edition of LaLiga FC Futures. It was one of his first major platforms to showcase his competitiveness and character—traits that later made him a club legend and a Spanish national team regular. He’s now one of the most decorated players in history, with six Uefa Champions Leagues, four LaLiga EA Sports titles, and a European Championship.
Cesc Fàbregas (2000) Fàbregas played for FC Barcelona in the 2000 edition. At just 13, he already showed exceptional game vision and midfield leadership.
In later interviews, he’s cited LaLiga FC Futures as one of the most memorable experiences of his youth, thanks to its competitiveness and exposure. As a professional, he won nearly everything: two LaLiga EA Sports titles with Barça and both the European Championship (twice) and 2010 World Cup with Spain.