Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has given a green light to Mali wonderkid, who is on the verge of making pre-season debut.
Barcelona are getting ready for a fresh start under boss Hansi Flick after their title winning season โ and one young name is already turning heads.
Ibrahim Diarra, an 18-year-old talent from Mali, has reportedly earned a pre-season call-up to train with the first team (via SPORT). Itโs a bold move from Flick, but one that shows Barcaโs trust in the rising star.
Diarra was signed last year after impressing scouts with his sharp feet, strong frame, and eye for goal. At the 2023 U-17 World Cup, he netted five goals and chipped in with four assists for Mali, helping them finish third.
That caught plenty of attention, and Barcelona made their move, paying โฌ1.7 million to Africa Foot Academy.
๐๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ต๐ถ๐บ ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฟ๐ฎ ๐บ๐ฎ๐ป ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐บ๐ฎ๐๐ฐ๐ต ๐ถ๐ป ๐ฌ๐ผ๐๐๐ต ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ๐ด๐๐ฒ ๐ณ๐ถ๐ป๐ฎ๐น! ๐ง๐ต๐ฒ๐ ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น๐น ๐ต๐ถ๐บ ๐๐ฎ๐ธ๐ฎฬ! ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐คฏ
โ MALI COMPS ๐ฒ๐ฑ (@malicomps) April 28, 2025
Ibrahim Diarra confirms his talent in front of the world with Barcelona! ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐คฒ๐พ
2 goals โฝ๏ธโฝ๏ธ + 1 assist ๐ฏpic.twitter.com/u0FHiDp7uy
But when Diarra first landed in Spain last November, things werenโt quite smooth. He wasnโt fully fit and had some minor knee problems.
Add to that the usual red tape with international transfers, and it was a slow start for the winger. However, Diarra didnโt sit back.
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He worked hard to get match-ready and ended the season playing a key role in Barcelonaโs historic youth-level trebleโwinning the Youth League, Liga, and Copa del Rey.
Who is Ibrahim Diarra?
Diarra is a left-footed right winger, known for cutting inside and making life tough for defenders. He can also play as an attacking midfielder.
Though still with Barcelonaโs reserve side, the club has high hopes for him and have tied him down with a contract until 2028.
Before heading off on vacation, Barca gave Diarra a special fitness plan โ and a promise. If he stuck to it, heโd join the first team in pre-season.
The young winger took that seriously. He trained in Mali, then continued his work in Paris, mixing gym time with ball drills. Photos show a leaner, sharper Diarra โ clearly someone who wants to make the most of this chance.
Heโs expected to arrive in Barcelona soon and could start training with Flickโs squad as early as Sunday or Monday. For a kid from Mali, thatโs not just a promotion โ itโs a foot in the Camp Nou door.
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