Thiago Alcantara: The Next Big Thing Coming Out of Barcelona's Youth System.

In Barcelona there is constant discussion of the next great signing. Will it be Cesc? Gareth Bale? Perhaps Javier Pastore? Maybe the next great thing to prowl the pitch of Camp Nou will be a player from the Barcelona youth system: Thiago Alcantara.

Image from ThiagoAlcantara.com

Thiago is the son of Mazinho, the Brasilian midfielder known as the third man in the three-men-and-a-baby celebration from the 1994 World Cup. Mazinho was also a crucial member of the solid Celta de Vigo teams of the late 1990s.

During his time in Spain, Mazinho brought his son Thiago to Spain. Thiago found his way into the Barcelona youth system at age 13.

Thiago is now the pearl of the Barca B team. His crisp passing shows the vision of Xavi. He even looks like Xavi. As you watch the video of Thiago, imagine him blacked out in profile. Could you see Xavi? I can. Perhaps it's the shape of his head, the way he swivels it, eyes up as passes cleanly downfield. I imagine him taking in Xavi's work much as a young Kobe Bryant emulated Michael Jordan.

Yet Alcantara adds Brasilian flair to Xavi's stone-faced efficiency. His ball-handling is superb and his nose for goal, superb. In some ways he looks like Ronaldinho.

Thiago and his father clearly have plans for his future. His website, the video below and the buzz about him show marketing savvy. Yet whether I'm being market to or not, I love it.

I couldn't enjoy a video more - sick soccer action combined with a great song by the Black Keys (Tighten Up). I hope you enjoy it, too.