Ebrima Tunkara, a 16-year-old academy player, has caught attention during FC Barcelona’s 2026 preseason preparations with the first team.
Coach Hansi Flick included Tunkara, a Spain youth international of Gambian descent, among the group of young players invited to train with the senior squad. Born in 2010, he is the youngest player involved in the preseason but has already impressed with his physical presence, technical qualities, and athleticism.
While his teammates at Barça Atlètic and Juvenil A were familiar with his talents, several senior players who had not previously trained with him were surprised by his level.
Tunkara made his mark in Barcelona’s opening preseason fixture against CE Europa by scoring the third goal after only three minutes on the pitch. Receiving a pass from Alex Gonzalez, he drove into the box and finished well despite close defensive pressure. This goal further demonstrated the impact he has made in the early weeks of preseason training.
Barcelona will continue their preseason training camp in England, where Flick intends to keep the group of academy players who have worked with him since preparations began.
Although Tunkara understands his immediate future is expected to be with Barça Atlètic, his rapid progress places him firmly on the coach's radar. The club considers him to have exceptional potential and will closely monitor his development as they look to nurture another promising graduate from their renowned academy.
