Just Sunday, a pair of teenagers, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí, led Spain to the country’s second-ever men’s World Cup victory. But long before rising to stardom on the international stage, the duo climbed the ranks of FC Barcelona’s renowned youth academy, La Masia.
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It’s likely that N.C. State’s latest recruit, Adriá Muñoz, knows them well as he, too, developed through La Masia.
On Wednesday, the Wolfpack announced the signing of the 19-year-old defender. He will join Marc Hubbard’s squad that made the College Cup final last season, before losing to Washington 3-2 in extra time.
After welcoming three transfers and two freshmen to the team for the spring season, the team went 4-1. On Wednesday, Muñoz was announced alongside two additional freshmen ahead of the fall schedule.
“Adriá has been developed in one of the best footballing cultures in the world,” Hubbard said, “and he arrives hungry to compete, grow, and help push our standard even higher. We look forward to welcoming him to Raleigh and the rest of class within the next week.”
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Muñoz previously played for Spain’s under-15 national team, and in April, he trained with Barcelona’s first team alongside other youth players. According to international soccer agency, UDB Sports, he is one of the fastest players in Barcelona’s youth system.
Barcelona’s youth academy moved to La Masia in 1979, and numerous club legends, like Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, have since passed through it. Yamal and Cubarsí have been touted up as the next of the bunch.
N.C. State will start its fall season on Aug. 20, with a home match against Coastal Carolina.
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This story was originally published July 23, 2026 at 12:26 PM.