Barcelona youth prodigy reflects on first-team debut – ‘It was truly unique’ | OneFootball

One of La Masia’s brightest new talents, Pedro “Dro” Fernandez, has spoken of his immense happiness after being fully integrated into Hansi Flick’s first-team squad this season.

The promising young player, who has already made his official debut in two major competitions, spoke to the club’s official media channels, talking about his rapid rise to prominence.

Dro on making his debut for Barcelona

Dro’s hard work paid off when he was given his first La Liga match against Real Sociedad at Montjuic on September 28th. He followed that achievement with his Champions League debut against Olympiacos.

“It was truly unique,” Dro said. “It was something I’d been working towards since I arrived here, and I’m incredibly happy. I experienced it with great excitement.”

He noted that after the first-match nerves, in his second appearance, he “felt better on the pitch, calmer, and very happy about it.”

Dro first caught Hansi Flick’s eye during the pre-season tour of Japan and Korea, where he was given minutes in friendlies and made an immediate impact.

During an 11-minute cameo against Vissal Kobe, he scored a spectacular volley. His pre-season performances led to his debut for Barcelona, albeit at Montjuic and not the Camp Nou.

The next big star for Barcelona? (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

However, for the youngster, the venue is as important as the competition. “Debuting in front of our fans makes it even more special,” he stated.

“Whether it’s in the Champions League, La Liga, or the Copa del Rey, debuting in this shirt is always something very special,” he added.

Dro’s primary position is as an attacking midfielder, but he has already shown his versatility, with Flick fielding him as a left winger in his second match.

When asked to describe his style, Dro said: “A player with good ball control, good decision-making, and I’d say quality.”

The young star, who joined the academy in 2022, was quick to credit the club’s famed youth system for his development.

“I think La Masia does a spectacular job, and that’s reflected every year. For me, it’s something very special that helps me; they’ve instilled values in all of us who come up there, and that’s a very, very beautiful aspect of this stage at La Masia,” he concluded.

Dro’s impressive performances have already led to speculation over his future, with West Ham United reportedly interested in the services of the Barcelona youngster.