Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick plans to involve 11 players from La Masia in the first team's preseason for the 2027/28 campaign.
This decision comes as many first-team regulars are expected to participate in the 2026 World Cup, limiting their availability for preseason training.
The called-up players are Baba Kourouma, Ebrima Tunkara, Orian Goren, Alex Gonzalez, Hamza Abdelkarim, Shane Kluivert, Xavi Espart, Tommy Marques, Landry Farre, Alvaro Cortes, and Oscar Gistau.
Flick views this opportunity as more than just filling the numbers; it allows evaluation of versatile players who understand space, transitions, and tactical structure. For instance, Xavi Espart has shown capability playing as a right-back with the mindset of a midfielder.
Young forwards Oscar Gistau and Shane Kluivert, son of a well-known figure, will also look to adapt and impress at this higher level.
Not every academy player called will stay with the first team, but the exposure to the training environment and understanding of Flick’s demands is valuable experience.
Previous players such as Gavi and Fermin Lopez have successfully made the step up after preseason involvement, illustrating La Masia’s ongoing contribution to the club’s squad.
This preseason thus marks a crucial phase for these 11 players, including those like Alvaro Cortes who already had first-team appearances, and others called up for the first time.
