century Catalan stone farmhouse that became the symbol of Barcelona's famed soccer academy closed its doors to recruits Thursday after more than three decades of nurturing talent. “La Masia de Can Planes”, built in 1702 and dwarfed since the 1950s by Barca's massive Nou Camp stadium next door, has been a home from home to players including current coach Pep Guardiola, midfielder Andres Iniesta, captain Carles Puyol and goalkeeper Victor Valdes. The building, which is being replaced by a much bigger, purpose-built facility at the club's training ground outside, will begin a new lease of life as the club's institutional headquarters. However, not all of the leading lights the school has produced, including World Player of the Year Lionel Messi, midfielder Xavi, defender Gerard Pique and Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas, lived there. Players who pass through the youth school, known in Spanish as the “cantera” (quarry), are imbued with Barca's special brand of stylish, possession-based soccer, most recently on display in the Champions League final at Wembley where they crushed English champions Manchester United 3-1. Recruits lucky enough to win a place at the “Masia” – some 60 at a time from Spain and beyond – also undergo an intense program of education which officials say produces more rounded individuals who have a better chance in life if they fail to make it as a professional athlete. Standing outside the farmhouse and flanked by the 16 trophies Barca's various professional sports teams won in a club-record haul last season, director Carles Folguera said he and his colleagues were excited about the “New Masia”, which cost around 9 million euros ($12.7 million) and will house some 80 young hopefuls when it opens next month. “We are switching to a residence that will be an example for the world due to the immense possibilities it will generate,” Folguera told reporters. “We will continue to work with the same ideas,” he added. “We are happy when success is accompanied by educating excellent people.” Former Barca midfielder Guillermo Amor, one of the Masia's first residents, said he was more nervous Thursday than when he moved in as a teenager in 1980. “Today is not an easy day,” he said. “For me, this place has not been just a residence for athletes but my home. We will have a marvellous new residence and we should make sure the family atmosphere is transfered there.” Platini likes Mourinho UEFA boss Michel Platini says he loves Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho even if he said “stupid things” about favoritism that led to a three-match ban. “I have a special affection for him. I love Mourinho,” Platini said in an interview with Spanish sports daily La Marca published Thursday. “I like the man. His personality and as a coach. That does not take away the fact that the UEFA displinary bodies are going to deal with him,” he said in Nyon, Switzerland. “He said stupid things. That is why the disciplinary committee acted and decided to sanction him.” Real Madrid's appeal against the three-match ban handed to 48-year-old Mourinho for his comments after the first leg of Real's Champions League semi-final defeat by Barcelona will be heard on July 29. European football's governing body gave a three-match European ban to Mourinho, with one match suspended, after he made allegations of favouritism towards Barcelona during the April 27 game. He was also ordered to pay a 50,000-euro (72,000 dollars) fine. “I know that you in the newspapers have written or will write that Platini intervened (in the sanction)... it is not true,” Platini said. “I don't deal with disciplinary matters or referees,” he added. “But that does not stop me liking him. When I played there were referees I had a very good relations with and they gave me yellow cards. My father slapped me when I was naughty as a child and it was because he loved me.” Barcelona won the first leg of the Champions League semi-final 2-0 at Real's Santiago Bernabeu stadium before a 1-1 draw in the return leg took them into the final, where they beat Manchester United.
