Ebrima Tunkara, a 16-year-old midfielder, took an important step in his development by scoring in Barcelona’s 4-1 friendly win over CE Europa behind closed doors.
Head coach Hansi Flick personally selected Tunkara to join the first team’s preseason squad after being impressed by his performances in La Masia. Flick approved every academy player invited to train with the senior squad.
Born in Gambia, Tunkara moved with his family to Catalonia in 2017 and joined Barcelona’s academy in 2018. Since then, he has steadily progressed through the youth ranks. Earlier this year, he signed his first professional contract and was informed in May that he would be part of the first team’s preseason plans.
On the field, Tunkara combines technical ability with notable athleticism. Primarily an attacking midfielder, he can also operate on the wing. He was named the best player at the 2026 UEFA European Under-17 Championship.
The club recognizes the importance of patience in his development, focusing on refining his consistency, decision-making, and tactical understanding before accelerating his path to senior football. Still, his inclusion in the preseason squad reflects significant trust from the coaching staff.
This opportunity confirms that Barcelona may have another young talent from La Masia beginning to emerge with promising qualities and potential for growth.
