Barcelona youngster becomes first-choice starter for Flick ahead of established stars | OneFootball

La Masia has repeatedly had a habit of producing at least one player each season who has gone on to have an impact in the FC Barcelona first team.

The 2026-27 season has been the turn of Xavi Espart, who has been an absolute revelation since his emergence into the first team.

The 19-year-old was already highly regarded inside the club, but few could have expected him to establish himself in Hansi Flick’s starting XI quite this quickly.

Espart has moved ahead of both Joao Cancelo and Alejandro Balde in the pecking order.

After playing only 189 first-team minutes last season, he has started all five of Barça’s La Liga matches this term and accumulated 440 minutes, more than any other outfield player in the squad.

Espart has gone from prospect to starter

Last season, Espart appeared six times across La Liga and the Champions League, starting only once.

Flick nevertheless saw enough to keep his name firmly in mind, and an excellent pre-season gave the youngster his opportunity.

Xavi Espart has been a revelation this season. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

It is safe to say that Espart has not wasted it. He has already scored once and provided two assists so far this season.

His first Barça goal arrived against Levante, although that match also produced his first notable mistake when a misplaced pass contributed to the hosts scoring.

Flick later admitted after the game that the goal was his fault, and that he should have taken the teenager off sooner.

“The first goal was my fault. I wanted to wait until the break to make changes and I should have done it earlier,” Flick said, explaining that Espart had already been struggling with cramps.

Golden Boy recognition follows

Even if Flick took responsibility for last night’s mistake, Espart is not going to develop without making errors of his own.

The teenager has clearly done enough to earn that leeway. Making errors is part and parcel of his development, and Flick will understand that.

Espart is in contention for the golden boy award. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

His excellent form has not gone unnoticed, with Espart now in the running for the Golden Boy award this season.

However, there is absolutely no doubt that Pau Cubarsi is the favourite to lift it after what was a record-breaking World Cup campaign.

Irrespective of whether he wins the award, one thing is certain: Espart is here to stay, and this is just the beginning of what one hopes is a long Barcelona career.