So far this season in La Liga, six out of the eleven players aged 18 and under are from Barcelona. The only 17-year-olds participating in the league this year are Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandes and Toni Fernandes, both currently playing for Catalan clubs.
This trend reflects Barcelona’s recent strategy of nurturing young talent as they navigate financial difficulties. The club’s academy, La Masia, has produced promising players like Gabi, Fermín López, Alejandro Balde, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Kvarsi, reinforcing its reputation for developing future stars.
This marks a significant shift compared to the last decade when standout talents like Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets made it challenging for younger players to secure regular positions in the starting lineup.
Recent talents such as Doro, Toni, and Joffre Trentos have caught the attention of manager Hansi Flick, successfully transitioning from youth teams to the senior squad. Although Marc Bernal had a promising start, a torn ACL during his third La Liga game last year interrupted his development. Still, Doro, Toni, Yamal, and Kvarsi have accumulated a notable 209 first-team appearances but are among the youngest to feature in La Liga this season.
With the achievements of Gabi, Pedri (who transferred from Las Palmas), and Yamal at such young ages, their successes have started to feel routine. However, a youth coach highlighted to ESPN just how remarkable it is to play for Barcelona at 17, emphasizing that such feats shouldn’t be trivialized.
We explored the latest wave of young talents impressing Flick, spoke to those who have observed their growth, and speculated on who might soon make the leap to the first team.
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Pedro “Dro” Fernandez | AM/PM | 17 | Debut September 28, 2025
Doro’s advancement to the first team is intriguingly connected to Thiago Alcantara. Following Thiago’s departure from his assistant role under Flick in 2024, Arnau Blanco, who had a long history in the academy and was directly involved with Doro, was elevated to the first team. His enthusiasm for Doro has influenced Flick, propelling Doro’s swift integration into senior football.
Moreover, Barça acquired Doro from a small Galician club, Balmignol, where Thiago’s younger brother Rafinha also developed. Alongside Doro, Barça signed another player named Pedro Villar in 2022 from Balmignol, dubbing them “the two Pedros.” Doro’s nickname stemmed from his brother’s inability to pronounce his name, which ironically became iconic due to the number of Pedros he played with over the years. Real Madrid had also scouted both players but missed the opportunity to sign them, allowing Barça to take the lead.
Some players are often compared, and Doro certainly falls into that category.
Doro has been said to possess similar talent levels as Thiago, according to his coach at Val Mignol, Javier Roxo, who once coached both. “I’ve never seen anyone as skilled as Thiago, but Doro possibly outshines him in terms of game vision,” Roxo stated.
“While some see him as another Pedri, I feel he resembles Andres Iniesta more,” added Luis Pérez Barreiro, another of Doro’s former coaches at Balmignol.
Pedri has described Doro as his favorite teammate at Barça, and another coach likened him to Brazilian icon Kaka, renowned for his time at Real Madrid and AC Milan.
“Doro’s comprehension of the game is exceptional,” a coach informed ESPN. “He thrives on constant engagement and ball control, which sharpens his cognitive skills and elevates his performance.”
“He always stood out as a unique player. I’ve always seen similarities with Kaka, even if he played for Real Madrid or Milan instead of Barcelona.”
Doro came into the spotlight during pre-season with a spectacular goal, making his official senior debut in La Liga against Real Sociedad. His first start in the UEFA Champions League came against Olympiakos, where he assisted Fermín López for a goal, making him the second youngest player to register an assist in the tournament after U.S. talent Giovanni Reyna.
During the match against the Greek team, Doro played as one of the front three, but many expect him to settle into a more central attacking midfield role. Sources suggest that Flick is “obsessed” with Doro, but the player hasn’t had as many chances to play this season due to Barcelona’s inconsistent performance.
Marc Bernal | DM | 18 | Debut August 17, 2024
Bernal stands out in the current roster, as a serious injury in August 2024 significantly delayed his integration into the first team. As a midfielder who contrasts with the smaller, skillful players typically associated with La Masia, his 6’3″ frame and ball-handling skills made him notable during the first three league games of the Flick era. He appeared comfortable alongside fellow youth graduate Marc Casado, contributing to Barcelona’s early season victories over Valencia, Athletic Club, and Rayo Vallecano.
Many were not surprised by his performance, given his long association with the club, having joined at six and being part of the 2007 cohort alongside Yamal and Kvarsi. His promotion became easier since he joined the first team with friends.
However, during his third appearance against Rayo, he suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear, a significant setback for both him and Barcelona. Reports indicate the injury impacted Bernal’s mental health; he spent his recovery near the training ground and worked with a psychologist to cope with the long layoff.
Barcelona underlined their commitment by negotiating a new contract until 2029 with Roc Nation, complete with a €500 million release clause. The aim now is to help Bernal regain his former form, although Flick has been careful with his playing time since his return in September, where he assisted in a 6-0 victory over Valencia. He’s played just 23 minutes in four matches since then, tempering expectations about his role this season, yet many at the club remain hopeful that he could become the primary defensive midfielder in the years to come.
Toni Fernandez | AM/FW | 17 | Debuts January 4, 2025
The influx of teenagers named Fernandes may lead to some confusion for Barça in the near future. While Toni has no direct relation to Doro, he does have a cousin, Gil, who is also on the first-team radar. Predictions had long suggested that midfielder Guille would be the first to break into the main squad, as he trained with them in 2023, though he has yet to appear in a match.
On the other hand, Toni made his senior debut in the Copa del Rey last January, coming off the bench during a 4-0 victory against Barbastro, making him the club’s second youngest debutant, following Yamal. The former Bayern Munich coach also noticed Toni’s ability during the summer of 2024, where he successfully converted penalties in friendlies against Manchester City and AC Milan.
Toni is the younger of two cousins, born in Ruby, Catalonia, in July 2008, a month after Guille. They share a family connection on both sides; their mothers are sisters, and their fathers are brothers. The family’s pride soared when the duo became record-setting goalscorers for Barça’s reserve team last season, scoring just minutes apart against Ourense in Spain’s third tier, with Toni netting his first goal through a stunning bicycle kick.
Having played together from childhood in various settings, there’s now a desire to establish individuality between the two, sources say. While they both currently work with different agents—Guille with Jorge Mendes and Toni with Andrea Orlandi—their own paths are being highlighted.
Toni is slowly but surely gaining recognition. Versatile enough to play as a forward or in the midfield, Flick surprised many by starting him as a false No. 9 in a 2-1 win over Girona, with Yamal and Marcus Rashford flanking him. However, many believe his long-term role will be in a deeper position.
“He’s a No. 10,” agent Orlandi informed ESPN. “This should be where he ultimately plays. In Flick’s current system, he operates as a number 10, although historically, Barça has preferred a 4-3-3 formation. Despite that, he currently shines in various roles as a forward and attacking midfielder. That seems to be his path forward.”
“As a No. 10, he’s lethal. His creativity is constant, and even during less impactful games, he can produce moments of brilliance. He’s nearly unstoppable within the final 25 yards,” he added.
Joffre Torrent | LB | 18 | Debut August 16, 2025
Even though he consistently trains with the first team, Joffre remains focused on his academic pursuits. He opted to decline a call-up to Spain’s Under-19 team to focus on his pre-university exams, a decision that proved fruitful as he passed them and is now considering a degree in business administration.
This period marked a low point in his career, compelling him to value education. Like Bernal, Torrent tore his ACL in 2023 and faced a year-long recovery, a time that prompted him to reflect on the precariousness of a career in professional sports, particularly for young players.
Some believe that the injury might have allowed him to integrate into the first team sooner. He stands out as one of the few left-backs to emerge from La Masia in recent years. While many others have departed, including Marc Cucurella, Alejandro Grimaldo, and Juan Miranda, some remain like Balde, and officials are hopeful that Trent can vie for a starting position next year.
Torrent’s imposing height of six feet contrasts with the classic attacking full-back image, yet his combination of size and skill aligns with modern trends in European football, as evidenced by Arsenal’s shift toward center-backs taking on full-back roles for added height and strength.
Who’s Next?
Looney Bulge The 20-year-old has earned playing time under Flick, but his experience does not come from La Masia. He joined the club from FC Copenhagen for about €2 million over the summer and has made waves thanks to his dribbling and confidence.
A source reported that Flick has been very impressed with the versatile midfielder.Xavi Esparto Currently sidelined for two months due to injury, the 18-year-old was close to stepping up to the first team before suffering a knee injury. Often deployed as a right-back, Flick apparently sees much of Bayern and Germany legend Philipp Lahm in him.
Defender Elsewhere Fare London A gifted 17-year-old winger, praised for his versatility on defense.Sama Nomoko, another young player making waves in the U-19 team and reserve squad, is set to become a household name soon.Everyma Tunkara At merely 15, club officials propose he might have the highest potential of any young player yet to make the first team.
More familiar names include U.S. men’s national team goalkeeperDiego Cooking, who has been on the brink of first-team action for over a year but has faced challenges with the arrival of Joao García from Espanyol. Additionally, defensive talentsAndres Cuenca and wingerDani Rodriguez, despite injury setbacks, have occasionally stood out during training sessions with the first team.
Fan Take: This surge of young talent at Barcelona not only revitalizes their squad but also raises expectations for the next generation of footballers. For soccer fans, this means watching potentially groundbreaking players develop into stars, signifying a bright future for the sport as these talents evolve on the international stage.
