Barcelona’s 19-year-old academy talent could earn first-team pre-season call-up | OneFootball

Even though the 2025/26 season just ended, FC Barcelona have already begun planning for the pre-season ahead of the new campaign.

The squad will fly to England for a training camp, where they will be playing two friendly matches, while the club is working to arrange one or two more matches before the season starts.

Hansi Flick, like he did in the last couple of years, will once again use the pre-season as an opportunity to take a look at some of the most talented young prospects coming through La Masia.

Hafiz Gariba could be called up

In that regard, SPORT reports that there is a possibility that teenage defender Hadiz Gariba could begin pre-season training with the first team, although a final decision has yet to be made.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hafiz Gariba 🇬🇭 (@hafiz_gariba)

Gariba arrived in Barcelona at just 15 years old, with the Blaugrana beating Real Madrid to his signing.

Having risen through the ranks at La Masia, the 19-year-old defender broke into the Juvenil B side in January 2025 and made the step up to Juvenil A during the 2025/26 season.

Within the club, coaches highly value his pace, physical presence, power in one-on-one duels and ability to play out from the back.

There are still areas for improvement, particularly concentration and consistency, but the belief is that his potential remains enormous.

Promotion to Barça Atletic next season

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Hafiz Gariba 🇬🇭 (@hafiz_gariba)

Gariba has two years left on his contract at Barcelona and is set to be promoted to Barça Atletic next season, where he is expected to play an important role in the Segunda RFEF.

And, as things stand, it is not entirely ruled out that he could begin pre-season with the first-team squad under Hansi Flick.

However, what is certain is that he will report on 20 July under reserve team coach Juliano Belletti as he continues his progression through the club.