Inside La Masia: Teenage prodigy aims to grow and succeed at Barcelona

Diego Kochen, an 18-year-old goalkeeper trained at La Masia, has embarked on the pre-season under Hansi Flick with promising prospects. 

Kochen, whose football journey began in the United States with West Pines United and Weston, found his way to Barcelona’s Marcet Foundation at the age of 12.

Over the years, his progression through Barça’s youth ranks has been marked by notable achievements despite encountering contrasting experiences in the recent season and a report from SPORT confirms that he wishes to grow and succeed at Barcelona.

In the 2023-24 campaign, Kochen joined Barça’s Juvenil A team, making appearances in key matches under coach Oscar Lopez. Notably, he featured in two Copa del Rey games, where his debut proved auspicious with a commanding win against Celta Vigo.

Beyond youth competitions, Kochen was also integrated into Barça Atletic, appearing in five matches and making a notable debut against Unionistas under Rafa Marquez’s management. 

Despite a stint as the third goalkeeper for the first team, appearing in 31 official match call-ups and making his debut in a friendly match in Dallas, a mid-season back injury curtailed his playing time.

Kochen ready to learn from setbacks

Reflecting on his season, Kochen acknowledges the invaluable lessons gained from his involvement with the first team, describing it as a profound learning experience.

Diego Kochen wants to succeed at Barcelona. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

His maturity and intelligence shine through as he credits his teammates for their personal and professional support, emphasising the impact of training and travelling alongside seasoned players. 

Furthermore, he views this exposure as essential baggage for his future success, recognising the demands and dedication required to excel at the elite level of professional football.

Idiolises Ter Stegen

In a recent interview, Kochen expressed his admiration for Marc-Andre ter Stegen, whom he considers his idol and role model since childhood. 

Describing the veteran keeper as an inspiration, Kochen highlighted the privilege of sharing a locker room with the German goalkeeper. 

“As a goalkeeper, it was always Ter Stegen, from day one. He’s been my idol since I was little since I was 12, and now I get to share a locker room with him,” he had said.

Looking ahead, Kochen remains firm in his ambition to contribute meaningfully to Barça’s future successes, recognizing the journey ahead while drawing motivation from his experiences thus far. 

His dedication to learning from the best and his resilience in navigating setbacks position him as a promising talent to watch.