Ex-Barcelona Youth Teammate Praises Israeli Talent Guy Assulin

Former Barcelona youth player Martin Montoya has lauded Israeli talent Guy Assulin, stating that Assulin stood out above all his peers during their time together at La Masia, Barcelona's famed youth academy. Montoya, who went on to play for Barcelona's senior team, told Spanish outlet 'Sport' that Assulin possessed exceptional talent, even surpassing future stars like Thiago Alcântara, Oriol Romeu, Cristian Tello, and Isaac Cuenca.

"In my age group, we had Thiago Alcântara, Oriol Romeu, Cristian Tello, Isaac Cuenca... we were a very good generation, and in that context, Guy Assulin stood out above everyone," Montoya said. "He made it, he moved up to the first team and debuted before anyone else. He had that potential, and then, for one reason or another, he didn't manage to fulfill it."

Montoya also recalled Assulin being labeled as the "next Messi" during their youth careers, a designation given to highly promising players who ultimately did not reach their full potential. Assulin made a single senior appearance for Barcelona in 2009 under Pep Guardiola before moving to Manchester City and embarking on a journeyman career across various clubs in Spain, Kazakhstan, and other countries, eventually retiring in 2022.

Assulin himself recently reflected on his near-miss with Barcelona's first team, telling 'Sport' that he believed he was close to an opportunity. He described conversations with Guardiola and Luis Enrique, noting that plans changed after his agent contacted Barcelona's sporting director, Txiki Begiristain. Guardiola reportedly told Assulin that he had planned to include him, but due to his agent's inquiry, the decision was made for him to return to the reserve team, a moment Assulin described as a "life lesson."