FC Barcelona is home to one of the world’s most prominent football academies. La Masia has produced some of the greatest football players in history. Furthermore, it does not appear that the institution will be closing anytime soon.
Many stars have emerged and grown from La Masia in recent years. Ansu Fati, Gavi, and Alejandro Balde are just a few names to get you started. Many of these players rose through the ranks of the first squad and have become household names connected with Barcelona.
The eruption of Lamine Yamal
However, an anomaly of sorts came about in the form of Lamine Yamal. Being only 16 years old, he possesses technical prowess greater than players much older than him. Already a key component of Xavi’s Barça, Yamal has a huge career in front of him that could ensure the new generation of Barcelona has a face to look up to.
Guille Fernandez, the latest gem in town
Staying consistent with the trend of promoting young stars, there is a new one in town. 15-year-old subsidiary midfielder Guille Fernandez is a name not many may recognize. He is among the chosen few to train with the first team during the ongoing international break.
A player of great ability and technical qualities, his incorporation within the first team dynamics is interesting. Around the same age as Yamal, it appears that this irregularity of trusting extremely young players is here to stay.
Born in 2008, the player has been developed at Barcelona since coming from RCD Espanyol’s youth side in 2018. Right-footed and standing at 1.71 meters tall, the player primarily plays as an interior. His full name is Guillermo Fernandez Casino, shortly referred to as Guille Fernandez, the player signed his latest contract in July of 2023 with Barcelona.
Contract expiring in 2024
However, the duration of the contract is next to nothing. While he currently continues to play between Juvenil B and Juvenil A, the player’s contract is set to expire in June of 2024. With less than a year left, Barcelona will want to make sure as soon as possible that the player is worth retaining and extending the contract of.
He is also the second youngest debutant for Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League. Rather coincidentally, he falls short only to Lamine Yamal, who remains the record holder for that particular achievement in Blaugrana colors.
A reliable dribbler with a great affinity to provide chances to his teammates, Fernandez is a true midfield maestro. His ball control and strong physical presence on the ball are both key attributes that make him stand above the rest of his peers.
Moreover, he is also represented by Jorge Mendes. This fact in itself is much more than a mere coincidence, however, given that Mendes already represents some of Barça’s most talented stars such as Lamine Yamal and Alejandro Balde.