When did Jonathan Dos Santos join "La Masia" in Spain

Jonathan Dos Santos is an international football player and was born in Mexico in 1990. He's been part of Spanish team 'FC Barcelona' since he was a kid alongside his brother, Giovani Dos Santos. He started playing in the youth league until he debuted in the top league during the 2008/09 season.

'FC Barcelona' spotted Jonathan Dos Santos when he and his brother were competing in a youth football tournament in France. That was the moment in which Dos Santos started his career in the Spanish team. Barça decided to make him and his brother join the famous soccer academy ‘La Masía’ to try them out.

Dos Santos in Barça

'La Masía' means 'the farmhouse' in Catalan, and it's a residence that receives young players to be formed with both academic and football education. 

Pep Guardiola, the famous player and coach of the top league team, was part of 'La Masía' and refers to it as a "plus that only comes from having competed in a Barcelona shirt (...) when you were a child".

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Football academies exist in almost every soccer club around the world, but 'FC Barcelona' with its 'La Masía' have proven to serve up generations of outstanding talented footballers. Those who become part of the academy are sure to make a profound bond with all the members of the club. 

Jonathan Dos Santos and his brother, Giovani, became part of 'La Masía' in 2003, at age 13. He acquired lots of skills that were proven in the 2008/09 season, when he was captain of the Juvenil A team. 

He then obtained the Citizenship of the European Union which enabled him to play in Barcelona's top league. He debuted in that team in the 2010/11 season and showed off all of his moves during the next seasons.

From Spain to USA

In 2014, after five seasons playing for 'FC Barcelona', Jonathan Dos Santos signed a five-year contract with 'Villarreal', where he got to play with his brother. Giovani went away to the USA in 2015, to play for the 'LA Galaxy' and Jonathan stayed in Spain for a while.

In July 2017, Jonathan and Giovani reunited when Jonathan signed a deal with the Major League Soccer team, 'LA Galaxy'. If you enjoyed this article, learn more about other international players by clicking on the link!