La Masia has been, is and will always be an endless conveyor belt of talent for the Barcelona first team, and this is reflected in Hansi Flick’s current first-team squad.
The club have continually pushed to protect their best young talents in La Masia, with the promise of a first-team chance should they develop according to expectations.
Now, the Catalan club have secured the renewal of highly talented Ukrainian attacking midfielder Artem Rybak.
✍️ El jugador 𝐀𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐦 𝐑𝐲𝐛𝐚𝐤 ha signat, en presència del director del Futbol Formatiu, José Ramón Alesanco, la continuïtat al Club en la seva etapa juvenil#FCBMasia 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/hA74fsFvZf
— FC Barcelona – Masia (@FCBmasia) June 10, 2026
A contract for the youngster has been in the works for some time now.
Another La Masia talent protected
The 16-year-old has been regarded as one of the promising names in the academy, and his renewal represents a huge coup.
Rybak signed his renewal alongside Jose Ramon Alexanco, Barcelona’s director of youth football, and will continue his development with the club at youth level.
Rybak arrived at Barcelona after leaving Ukraine because of the war. Since then, he has spent four seasons in the Blaugrana academy.
Already an Under-16 international with his nation, the teenager made his Juvenil B debut last season, stepping into the higher youth category.
Rybak will now look to consolidate his place and continue climbing. His renewal is in line with the club handing new contracts to many players in the Under-16 group.
🙌🏼 Gràcies, família Rybak, per confiar en La Masia per a la formació del vostre fill com a jugador i persona#FCBMasia 💙❤️ pic.twitter.com/hYksWwEX3R
— FC Barcelona – Masia (@FCBmasia) June 10, 2026
Barcelona keep faith in youth
For all these players in the academy, looking up to the first team and seeing a manager in Hansi Flick who will give them a chance if they impress him is the biggest motivation.
The club’s foundation is built on La Masia, and during Barcelona’s best periods, they have always had a number of players from the academy in the first team.
Rybak’s story also carries an emotional element. He came to Barcelona in difficult circumstances, found a football home and is now being trusted with a longer path at the club.
However, he will have to put his head down and keep working as he progresses through the ranks and, hopefully, we see a Ukrainian in the Barcelona first team in the future.