Barcelona's 4-0 victory at Levante at the weekend was notable not just for the 11-point advantage they now have over champions Real Madrid but for the team fielding a side made up completely of their La Masia academy XI.
Manager Tito Vilanova started ten La Masia graduates, with Brazilian right-back Dani Alves the only outsider until he went off injured in the 14th minute. That heralded the arrival of Martin Montoya to complement the 10 other Barça youth-teamers.
La Masia, which translates as 'The Farmhouse', holds more than 300 players and is famed for producing some of the greatest Spanish-speaking footballers over the past decade.
Every one of the La Masia XI, with the exception of Pedro, Andrés Iniesta and Argentine Lionel Messi, is Catalan as well. Just a shame the occasion came in that ice lolly rocket kit...
Barcelona's La Masia XI
Cesc Fabregas(01 of48)
Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, right, celebrates after scoring a goal against Levante during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
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Victor Valdés (credit:Getty Images)
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Gerard Piqué (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(04 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Juanfran of Levante reacts as Bacelona players celebrate during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Sergio Busquets (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(06 of48)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (L) celebrates with teanmates after socring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(07 of48)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (3R) celebrates with teanmates after socring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Xavi (credit:Getty Images)
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Lionel Messi (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(10 of48)
Barcelona's midfielder Cesc Fabregas (R) celebrates with Barcelona's midfielder Andres Iniesta after scoring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(11 of48)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Levante's defender David Navarro (L) before scoring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(12 of48)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Martín Montoya (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(14 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Cesc Fabregas of Barcelona celebrates after scoring during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Carles Puyol (credit:Getty Images)
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Pedro (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(17 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Head coach Tito Vilanova of FC Barcelona kicks the ball during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(18 of48)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after socring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Andrés Iniesta (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(20 of48)
Levante's Morocan midfielder Nabil El Zhar (L) vies with Barcelona's midfielder Andres Iniesta during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Cesc Fàbregas (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(22 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Lionel Messi (R) of Barcelona shoots next to Papakouly Diop of Levante during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(23 of48)
Barcelona's midfielder Cesc Fabregas (R) celebrates with teammates defender Martin Montoya (L) and Barcelona's defender Jordi Alba after scoring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(24 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Pedro Rodriguez of Barcelona reacts as he fails to score during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(25 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Lionel Messi (L) of Barcelona celebrates with Jordi Alba during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(26 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Nabil El Zhar (R) of Levante competes for the ball with Andres Iniesta of Barcelona during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Jordi Alba (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(28 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Barcelona line up for a team photograph before the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVATE-BARCELONA(29 of48)
Levante's midfielder Vicente Iborra (L) vies with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(30 of48)
Levante's midfielder Vicente Iborra (L) vies with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(31 of48)
Barcelona's midfielder Cesc Fabregas (L) vies with Levante's Morocan midfielder Nabil El Zhar during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(32 of48)
Levante's Uruguayan goalkeeper Gustavo Munua (L) vies with Barcelona's Brazilian defender Dani Alves during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(33 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Vicente Iborra (L) of Levante competes for the ball with Lionel Messi of Barcelona during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(34 of48)
Levante's midfielder Vicente Iborra (L) and Levante's Senegalese midfielder Pape Diop (R) vie with Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (C) during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(35 of48)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi reacts during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(36 of48)
Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi (R) vies with Levante's midfielder Vicente Iborra (L) during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Levante UD v FC Barcelona - La Liga(37 of48)
VALENCIA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 25: Andres Iniesta of Barcelona celebrates scoring the third goal with his teammates during the la Liga match between Levante UD and FC Barcelona at Ciutat de Valencia on November 25, 2012 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(38 of48)
Barcelona's midfielder Andres Iniesta celebrates after voting during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Nabil El Zhar,Cesc Fabregas(39 of48)
Barcelona's Cesc Fabregas, left, duels for the ball with Levante's Nabil El Zhar, right, during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
FBL-ESP-LIGA-LEVANTE-BARCELONA(40 of48)
Barcelona's midfielder Andres Iniesta (L) celebrates with teammate forward Pedro Rodriguez after socring during the Spanish league football match Levante UD vs FC Barcelona at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia on November 25, 2012. AFP PHOTO/ JOSE JORDAN (Photo credit should read JOSE JORDAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Martin Montoya, Juanlu Gomez(41 of48)
Barcelona's Martin Montoya Torralbo, left, duels for the ball with Levante's Juanlu Gomez, right, during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat de Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
Pedro Rodriguez(42 of48)
Barcelona's Pedro Rodriguez, right, reacts after failing to score against Levante during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
Lionel Messi, Iniesta(43 of48)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina is congratulated by teammate Andres Iniesta, right, after scoring a goal against Levante during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
Lionel Messi (44 of48)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, right, is congratulated by teammate after scoring a goal against Levante during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
Lionel Messi, Iniesta(45 of48)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, centre, is congratulated by teammate Andres Iniesta, right, after scoring a goal against Levante during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
Lionel Messi, Carles Puyol, Fabregas(46 of48)
Barcelona's Lionel Messi from Argentina, center is congratulated by teammate Carles Puyol, left, and Cesc Fabregas, right, after scoring a goal against Levante during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
Andres Iniesta(47 of48)
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates after scoring a goal against Levante during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012. (AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)
Andres Iniesta(48 of48)
Barcelona's Andres Iniesta celebrates after scoring a goal against Levante during their la liga soccer match at the Ciutat Valencia stadium in Valencia, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012.(AP Photo/ Alberto Saiz) (credit:AP)