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Barcelona Academy Prospects Impress Flick in U-19 Win

Hansi Flick scouts seven Barcelona youth players in U-19 victory. Mundo Deportivo identifies academy standouts Xavi Espart and Nico Marcipar.

By Barcelona Sport Desk · Published 20 July 2026

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Barcelona Academy Prospects Impress Flick in U-19 Win — Photo by Susannka / Flickr (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Hansi Flick has monitored up-and-coming academy players at FC Barcelona since his arrival. This past weekend he attended the Barcelona U-19 side's fixture against Badalona, which the Blaugrana prospects won 2-1 after a hard-fought battle. Mundo Deportivo now highlights the seven youth prospects who caught the first-team manager's attention with their performances.

Defensive and midfield standouts

The 17-year-old Xavi Espart donned the captain's armband for Barcelona's Juvenil A side against Badalona and operated at right-back even though he has largely played as a pivot in his youth career. Espart had minutes with Barça Atletic against Andorra a week back and has been called up to train with the first team already once by Flick. The 16-year-old Argentine starlet Nico Marcipar is regarded as one of the most talented young centre-backs in La Masia. The 18-year-old Brian Farinas scored the opening goal and set the pace of the game from the midfield in the win against Badalona. Last season Brian Farinas participated in two matches with Barça Atletic, providing an assist, and also trained under Xavi's orders with the first team.

Attacking options and recent signings

Alex Walton was the match-winner for Barcelona U-19 against Badalona this weekend, scoring the winning goal in the 85th minute. Alex Walton was signed from EF Gava in the winter transfer window earlier this year. Quim Junyent was part of the first team's pre-season tour of the USA. The 17-year-old Quim Junyent has been called up to train with the first team at times already. The 18-year-old striker Hugo Alba has been with Barcelona since 2019. Last season Hugo Alba scored a goal in his three Youth League appearances. Hugo Alba was called up to train with the first team by Xavi last year.

Latest addition to the Juvenil A squad

Jan Virgili was signed this summer from Nastic. Last season Jan Virgili scored 18 goals in 28 games with Nàstic's youth team. On his debut with the Juvenil A, Jan Virgili scored a brace against Huesca to lead Barcelona to a triumph. Last week Jan Virgili was called up by Flick to participate in the first-team training.