Young Players Shine in Barcelona’s New Season

FC Barcelona fans, get excited! Three promising young players have made their way into the first team and have already made a splash. On August 17, 2024, Marc Bernal, Gerard Martín, and Pau Víctor all stepped onto the field for their big debut against Valencia.

First up is Marc Bernal. Just 17 years old, he’s the first player to be called up under Coach Hansi Flick. Bernal’s journey began when he joined La Masia from Gimnàstic Manresa at a mere seven years old. He missed out on under-18 football and jumped right into the senior ranks, solidifying his skills with Barça Atlètic last season, where he played 31 matches and scored two goals.

Next, we have Gerard Martín, who also joined Barça Atlètic recently. This local boy had a great run in the youth ranks at EF Performance, San Gabriel, and Cornellà before hopping onto the first team. Having played 41 matches last season under Rafa Márquez, Martín got his first taste of first-team football during a friendly in Dallas last December. His official debut came when he replaced Alejandro Balde in the 63rd minute of the game.

Last but not least is Pau Víctor. This talented striker has been making waves during preseason, finishing as top scorer for Barça Atlètic with 20 goals in 39 matches. His hard work has paid off, earning him a chance to debut for the first team. He made his entrance during the first LaLiga game of the season, coming on for Lamine Yamal in the 86th minute.