Overview
Jordi Masip López, born on January 3, 1989, in Sabadell, Spain, is a professional footballer who has established himself as a respected goalkeeper in Spanish football. Standing at 1.80 meters, Masip possesses a well-rounded skill set that combines traditional shot-stopping with modern goalkeeping attributes, including proficiency with his feet. While he began his career in the esteemed FC Barcelona academy, his senior career has seen him become a prominent figure for other clubs, particularly Real Valladolid.
Position
As a goalkeeper, Masip's primary role involves protecting his team's goal. This encompasses a range of responsibilities from making saves and commanding his penalty area to initiating attacks from the back. His experience in various leagues has honed his understanding of defensive organization and his ability to communicate effectively with his backline.
Identity
Masip's identity as a goalkeeper is characterized by his reliability and composure. He is not typically flamboyant, but rather a consistent performer who makes crucial saves and rarely makes significant errors. His background at Barcelona's La Masia academy also means he is comfortable with the ball at his feet, allowing him to participate in his team's build-up play and act as an additional outfield player when required. This blend of traditional goalkeeping solidity and modern distribution skills defines his contribution to any team.
Career path
Jordi Masip's footballing journey began in the youth ranks of FC Barcelona, a testament to his early promise. He joined La Masia, the club's renowned academy, where he progressed through various age groups. His senior career with Barcelona began in the 2008-2009 season, when he was promoted to Barcelona C before moving to Barcelona B in 2009. He spent several seasons with the reserve team, gaining valuable experience in Spain's lower divisions. During his time with Barcelona B, Masip made over 70 appearances, developing his game under the watchful eye of the club's coaching staff.
FC Barcelona Senior Team
Masip's efforts with Barcelona B eventually led to his promotion to the first team. He officially became part of the senior squad for the 2014-2015 season, serving as a third-choice goalkeeper behind Claudio Bravo and Marc-André ter Stegen. Despite being part of the squad that achieved significant domestic and European success, including the treble in 2015, his opportunities for game time were limited. He made his official debut for the first team in a Copa del Rey match against SD Huesca in December 2014 and made one appearance in La Liga.
Real Valladolid
Seeking more regular first-team football, Masip departed Barcelona in the summer of 2017 and signed with Real Valladolid, who were then in the Segunda División. This move marked a pivotal moment in his career, as he quickly established himself as the club's undisputed number one goalkeeper. In his debut season with Valladolid, he played a crucial role in their promotion back to La Liga via the play-offs. His performances were instrumental in their defensive solidity and ability to compete at the top level.
Masip has remained a consistent presence for Real Valladolid since their promotion, enduring both periods in La Liga and subsequent relegations and promotions. His loyalty and consistent performances have made him a fan favorite and a key leader within the squad. He has regularly featured as captain for the club, highlighting his leadership qualities and importance to the team's structure across multiple seasons.
Playing style
Jordi Masip is characterized by a playing style that blends traditional goalkeeping virtues with an aptitude for modern demands. His core strengths lie in his shot-stopping ability and his command of the penalty area. Masip demonstrates good reflexes and agility, allowing him to make saves from close range and react quickly to unexpected deflections. While not the tallest goalkeeper at 1.80m, he compensates with effective positioning and decision-making, often seen anticipating shots rather than reacting late.
One of Masip's notable attributes is his composure and distribution with the ball at his feet. Having come through the La Masia academy, he is proficient in playing out from the back, capable of accurate short and long passes to initiate attacks. This comfort on the ball makes him a valuable asset in teams that employ a possession-based style of play, allowing his defenders to use him as an extra passing option to circulate possession and bypass opposition pressure. Data from platforms like FBref.com often highlights goalkeepers with higher successful pass percentages and fewer miskicks, indicating his reliability in this aspect.
In terms of command of his box, Masip is an assertive presence. He is willing to come off his line to collect crosses and intervene in dangerous situations, demonstrating good aerial judgment. While he may not possess the explosive athleticism of some contemporary goalkeepers, his consistent performance and leadership qualities contribute significantly to his team's defensive organization. His style can be compared to goalkeepers who prioritize consistency and reliable distribution, such as Vicente Guaita or even aspects of Gerónimo Rulli's game, focusing on a solid, unfussy approach rather than spectacular, high-risk actions.
Achievements & honours
Jordi Masip's career has seen him contribute to significant team successes, particularly during his tenure at FC Barcelona and his pivotal role in Real Valladolid's promotions. Although his individual playing time was limited during Barcelona's most dominant period, he was an integral part of the squad that secured multiple major trophies.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| FC Barcelona | La Liga | 2014–15 (Wikipedia) |
| FC Barcelona | Copa del Rey | 2014–15 (Wikipedia) |
| FC Barcelona | UEFA Champions League | 2014–15 (UEFA) |
| FC Barcelona | UEFA Super Cup | 2015 (UEFA) |
| FC Barcelona | FIFA Club World Cup | 2015 (FIFA) |
| Real Valladolid | Segunda División Play-offs (Promotion) | 2017–18 (Transfermarkt) |
| Real Valladolid | Segunda División (Promotion) | 2021–22 (Transfermarkt) |
Masip's contributions to Real Valladolid's promotions from the Segunda División to La Liga in both the 2017–18 and 2021–22 seasons highlight his importance as a first-choice goalkeeper. These achievements, while not major international trophies, represent significant milestones in a player's career, demonstrating consistent performance at a high level and the ability to lead a team to success.
International career
Despite a long and consistent club career in Spanish football, Jordi Masip has not received any caps for the senior Spain national football team. Spain has a rich history of producing top-tier goalkeepers, leading to intense competition for places in the national squad. During Masip's prime years, the national team has typically featured goalkeepers such as Iker Casillas, David de Gea, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and David Raya, among others.
Masip's journey through the Spanish national setup did include representation at youth levels. He was part of the Spain U-19 squad, indicating that he was recognized as a promising talent early in his development (Transfermarkt). However, the step up to the senior international stage proved to be a significant hurdle, given the depth of talent available to the national team selectors.
His consistent performances in La Liga for Real Valladolid have been noted, but the competition from goalkeepers playing for elite clubs or those demonstrating exceptional form has meant that a senior call-up has remained elusive. While he has not featured in major tournaments like the FIFA World Cup or the UEFA European Championship, his club career has provided him with ample opportunities to perform at a high level, facing some of the best attackers in European football.
What makes Jordi Masip stand out
Jordi Masip stands out primarily for his unwavering consistency and professional demeanor. In an era where goalkeepers are increasingly scrutinized for every touch, Masip offers a reassuringly solid presence. His ability to perform reliably week in and week out, particularly for a club like Real Valladolid that has often battled in the mid-to-lower reaches of La Liga, is a significant asset. He is not prone to spectacular individual errors, which makes him a trusted figure for his defenders and coaching staff.
Another distinctive trait is his proficiency with his feet, a skill honed during his formative years at FC Barcelona's La Masia academy. This allows him to seamlessly integrate into build-up play, offering short passing options and effectively distributing the ball to start attacks. This attribute is crucial in modern football, where goalkeepers are often the first point of attack. His decision-making under pressure when playing out from the back is generally sound, helping his teams maintain possession and bypass opposing presses.
"Masip is a guarantee. He gives us security at the back and he's also very good with his feet, which is important for our style of play." - Pacheta, former Real Valladolid manager.