Hansi Flick to test promising 18-year-old youth team forward in pre-season training – report | OneFootball

According to a recent report from SPORT, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick is preparing to give several La Masia prospects the opportunity to shine during pre-season, with one name in particular starting to gain attention – Ibrahim Diarra.

As things stand, with first-team transfers and departures still uncertain, Flick is expected to begin the pre-season with a strong group of players from Barça Atletic and the Juvenil squad.

Among those already earmarked to train under the new coach are Toni Fernandez, Juan Hernandez and Jofre Torrents. But Flick is keeping an open mind, and Diarra is now firmly in the frame.

A ray of hope for Diarra

Diarra, an 18-year-old striker from Mali, joined Barcelona’s academy last December. However, his early days at the club were not easy.

He arrived with physical issues, had to overcome complex administrative procedures, and faced the challenge of adapting mid-season.

Hansi Flick will test several youth team players. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

As a result, his minutes on the pitch were limited, and he found it difficult to make a real impact.

Now, though, he has settled in. With the confidence of his coaches and an open opportunity under Flick, the young forward is ready to prove his worth.

Flick has shown that he is not afraid of giving young players enough opportunities, and Diarra will be part of the first training sessions of the 2025/26 pre-season.

These early sessions will be crucial for every young player involved, as the German manager will soon draw up a call-up list for the club’s Asian tour.

Making that squad will be seen as a real reward, a sign that a player has passed Flick’s first test.

For Diarra, it is a golden opportunity to show the Barça staff and fans what he is really capable of. If he delivers, this could be the beginning of a new chapter in his career at Barcelona.