The attacking midfielder joins a list of prominent footballers to have made the journey to Qatar after coming through FC Barcelona’s ranks.
FC Barcelona academy graduate Alex Collado has joined Al Shamal on a three-year deal, the club announced on Tuesday, becoming the latest in a prominent list of La Masia products to arrive on Qatari shores.
Collado joined the Qatar Stars League side from Spain’s Real Betis, penning a contract that will keep him in Qatar until 2028.
The 26-year-old attacking midfielder arrives after spending two loan seasons in the neighbouring Saudi Pro League. He recently appeared for Al Kholood in the 2024/25 season, following an Al Okhdood stint the season before on loan from Betis.
“I am convinced that it will be a great year together,” the former Spanish under-19 international said in a video, addressing the fans of his new club.
Al Shamal exceeded expectations to finish sixth in the Qatari league this season and have been one of the most active sides in the transfer window so far. Egyptian International Akram Tawfik also signed for the outlet from Al Ahly Egypt recently.
Collado will be hoping for stability in Al Shamal after spending multiple short-lived spells both inside and outside of Spain. After being touted as one of the most promising young players, Barcelona’s senior side had also seen him play for Granada and Elche on loan.
Prior to his move to Betis in 2023, Collado had made two appearances for Barcelona’s senior team after coming through the famed La Masia academy.
The Catalan-born midfielder had joined the club in 2010, aged just 11 and saw a stellar youth career which saw him score 18 goals in 82 appearances for Barcelona B.
He will join the likes of Marc Muniesa and Rafa Mujica in the Qatari league, both of whom came through FC Barcelona’s youth ranks. Midfielder Xavi Hernandez, who later went on to manage Al Sadd, Pep Guardiola and Rafinha Alcantara were all La Masia products too.
Similarly, a number of coaches of the Barcelona academy have plied their trade in Qatar, the most notable being current Al Sadd head coach Felix Sanchez.
After swapping Barcelona for the newly inaugurated Aspire Academy in 2006, Sanchez went all the way to manage the Qatar national team and led the side to its maiden Asian Cup win in 2019. He was also in the dugout as the Maroons made their World Cup debut at home in 2022.
Pau Prim, a 19-year-old Barcelona youth player, has also been linked to Al Sadd with reports from Mundo Deportivo claiming he could sign for the Qatari champions in June.
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