Barca calls up 16-year-old star to the first team due to personnel crisis

Coach Hansi Flick continues to demonstrate his trust in the La Masia academy by unexpectedly inviting the young talent Baba Kourouma, only 16 years old, to train with Barcelona's first team ahead of the match against Real Oviedo.

Since taking the helm at Camp Nou, Hansi Flick has consistently focused on giving opportunities to young players. He regularly facilitates promising talents to train with the first team, participate in friendly matches, or even be included in the main squad's registration list. This clearly reflects the German coach's philosophy: building Barcelona based on the young talents nurtured at La Masia.

This time, the chosen one is Baba Kourouma. According to journalist Sergi Capdevila, the young midfielder born in 2009 was called up by Flick to train with the seniors right before the game against Real Oviedo. This marks a significant step forward in the early career of the 16-year-old player.

Kourouma is the younger brother of former Barcelona midfielder Ilaix Moriba and is currently regarded as one of the brightest gems at La Masia. His standout quality is his rare versatility. At just 16, he can play multiple positions such as center-back, left-back, defensive midfielder, or even winger. This flexible adaptability makes Kourouma a highly promising player for Barca’s future lineup.

Despite his young age, Kourouma had already been promoted to Barca’s U19 team, clearly demonstrating his exceptional talent and development potential. In May, he signed a three-year contract with the club and received high praise from the coaching staff. Training with the first team now will help him gain more experience and better understand the rigorous demands of top-level football.

Amid Barcelona's current struggles with squad depth due to injuries to key youngsters like Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, and Gavi, there is a real chance that Kourouma will be included in the matchday squad. If he makes the most of this opportunity, the rising star could surprise everyone and establish himself right from his initial steps in the first team.

Baba Kourouma is seen as a prime example of the "giving chances to the youth" philosophy that Hansi Flick steadfastly pursues. His willingness to bring a 16-year-old into first-team training further underscores the plan to build a sustainable Barcelona grounded in homegrown talent. This promises to be an important starting point for Kourouma to gradually secure his place in the future.

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