FC Barcelona traditionally views its reserve team, Barça Atlètic, as a crucial step in young players’ development. The team serves not only as a feeder to the club’s first team but also as a stage for players to make their international debuts.
At least 13 players from Barça Atlètic have recently earned their first caps for their national teams. These players represent various nationalities and positions, illustrating the reserve team's quality.
One early example is Thomas Christiansen, who debuted for Spain on January 27, 1993, at 19 years old. He remains the only Barça Atlètic player to debut directly for the Spanish senior team, playing in a friendly against Mexico.
Other notable cases include Gai Assulin of Israel, the youngest player to debut with his national team at 16 in 2008, and Tonny Sanabria from Paraguay, who debuted at 17 in 2013.
More recent debuts reflect the ongoing progression of reserve team players: Senegalese defender Mika Faye started and scored in a friendly against Gabon in 2024. Montenegro goalkeeper Lazar Carevic and Hungarian goalkeeper Áron Yaakobishvili have also earned senior call-ups, demonstrating the team’s ability to develop international-level players.
In 2025, young players such as Ghanaian forward Abdul Aziz Issah and Dominican Republic striker Óscar Ureña made their senior national team debuts. Defender David Oduro participated in Ghana’s pre-2026 World Cup friendly against Mexico as well.
These international appearances offer valuable experience for young players adapting to football at the highest level. Barça Atlètic coach Rafael Márquez emphasized, "We help players open up and gain vital experience which they can later apply in the first team."
Barça Atlètic stands as an essential phase for young talents aiming to reach higher levels, including national teams and Barça’s senior squad. The number of such call-ups underlines the academy’s significance and the club’s role in developing players internationally.
