FC Barcelona astonishes the competition with another top talent from the youth academy. Riqui Puig makes it from the stands straight into the starting eleven.
La Masia is the most famous youth academy in the world.
The FC Barcelona talent factory has produced world champions such as Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Gerard Piqué and six-time world footballer Lionel Messi.
And although only a few players have made it into FC Barcelona’s first team in recent years, the next top talent after Ansu Fati (17) is about to embark on a great career. It is one who has been living Barca’s life since childhood.
Riqui Puig is the name of the exceptional talent – 21 years old since yesterday, 1.69 metres tall, born in Matadepera in the province of Barcelona and with the Catalans since 2013.
In central midfield, the lively youngster impresses with strong dribblings and a good overview – and makes observers wallow in the memory of old champion Iniesta.
Italy legend Gennaro Gattuso, who as coach of SSC Naples failed to win the Champions League against Barca on Saturday, described Puig’s style of play as “a spectacle” as early as 2018 on the verge of a friendly match.