4 of Barcelona's potential breakout stars of 2024/25 season
- Barcelona have faced more transfer market struggles
- Promoting from within has bulked up first-team squad
- Catalans have proven track record of home-grown stars
Barcelona are known the world over for developing superstars. The most famous example is Lionel Messi, but Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Carles Puyol and Pep Guardiola are all global legends.
In more recent years, amid financial difficulties limiting transfer activity, Barcelona have continued to blood countless talents produced by La Masia. Some have been spectacular hits, like Lamine Yamal, Gavi and Pau Cubarsi. Others like Alejandro Balde and Fermin Lopez are solid first-team players.
Not everyone makes it - Ansu Fati was once tipped for stardom - but the journey is always exciting.
With a number of newer promising either promoted into the first-team squad this season or primed at the top of the class in Barca B, there could be several more breakouts in 2024/25.
Marc Bernal
Barcelona aren't flush with central midfielders as the new season begins, with Pedri, Frenkie de Jong and Gavi all ruled out for varying lengths of time due to injury. That means there is plenty of opportunity for someone like Marc Bernal, who turned 17 in May, to stake their claim.
Bernal, more in the Sergio Busquets or Rodri mould than Gavi or Pedri, started the Joan Gamper Trophy alongside more experienced Barca B teammate Marc Casado and has been tipped to keep that place for the team's La Liga opener against Valencia.
Rumour has it Barca will choose between putting their faith in Bernal or pursuing N'Golo Kante.
Pau Victor
Having spent last season with Barca B on loan from Girona, Pau Victor is now permanently at the club and has been registered in the first-team squad this season.
The 22-year-old forward scored 18 league goals for the second string in 2023/24 and will be expected to have an impact now that he has been asked to step up to senior level.
Barca haven't been able to land several of the major transfer targets they wanted, so there is plenty of opportunity for someone like Victor.
Pablo Torre
Another youngster assigned a first-team place this season, Pablo Torre is back from a loan spell at Girona. He didn't start many games for Barca's Catalan neighbours but still managed 29 appearances in La Liga as Girona stunned Spain and Europe to qualify for the Champions League.
Torre has previously played 13 times for Barcelona, coming during the 2022/23 campaign.
Hector Fort
Barcelona do not have a recognised first-team right-back. Enter, 18-year-old Hector Fort.
For much of last season, Jules Kounde, a centre-back, was forced to fill in, while Ronald Araujo, also a centre-back, covered there too. Joao Cancelo is no longer at the club after his loan ended and doesn't particularly look as though he's coming back. Sergi Roberto, a midfielder, is gone as well.
Fort began to get his chance under Xavi last season, both at right-back and left-back. He contributed two assists across his seven La Liga appearances.
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