Barcelona make history with four U-18 players making breakthrough this season

There is a substantial chance that Barcelona may endure a trophyless campaign, given the club’s position in La Liga and a relatively tough fight in the Champions League.

However, Barcelona’s 2023/24 campaign will be forever etched in history as the season where the Catalans outfit were able to not just hand debuts to four U-18 players, but also play them regularly throughout the course of the campaign.

The four players in question are Marc Guiu, Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsi, and Hector Fort – four talented U-18 players who have coincided with each other in the same season.

These four youngsters have made a combined total of 56 appearances, played 3,036 minutes, and racked up 7 goals and 10 assists – the highest in the club’s history by any group of U-18 players.

Lamine Yamal

Lamine Yamal is definitely the star of this group. The young attacker made his debut last season and has since established himself as a key attacking outlet for coach Xavi Hernandez.

Overall, Yamal has featured in 35 competitive matches, racking up five goals and seven assists while playing a total of almost 2000 minutes.

Yamal has been Barcelona’s biggest breakout star this season (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

Yamal’s explosive pace on the flanks, coupled with his ability to take on opposition defenders make him a valuable option for Xavi, who is likely to count on his services as Barcelona take on Athletic Club this evening.

Pau Cubarsi

Pau Cubarsi has become the talk of the town in Barcelona lately, following his incredibly organized defensive performances in recent matches.

A center-back by trade, Cubarsi has impressed onlookers with his composure and ability to read the game. He has started six of Barcelona’s last seven league matches.

During this period, the club have also secured five wins while the only loss came against Villarreal, where the defender did not start.

Overall, Pau has appeared in seven league matches, along with a couple of appearances in Copa Del Rey. As a result, he has established himself as a trusted option in central defence.

Hector Fort

Hector Fort has yet to reach the same heights as Cubarsi, let alone Yamal. But he is seemingly proving himself to be a reliable option in the right-back position.

Hector Fort has a chance to establish himself as a trusted fullback for Barcelona (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

After making his debut in December 2023, Fort has featured in 342 minutes of competitive action, racking up two assists in the process.

Going forward, Fort’s offensive qualities, coupled with his versatility, could make him an exciting option for Barcelona in the fullback area.

Marc Guiu

Marc Guiu has been more of an impact player at Barcelona rather than a consistent presence on the team sheets.

Guiu rose to prominence when he netted the winner on his debut against Athletic Club. He also scored in the Champions League, despite only having 33 minutes of action.

In total, Guiu has featured in six competitive matches, during which he has scored two goals. But that number is sure to increase going forward and in fact, the youngster is likely to be a member of the bench when Barcelona take on the same old Athletic Club this evening.