Barcelona’s 16-year-old La Masia jewel already knocking on the first-team doors

Barcelona’s 16-year-old La Masia jewel already knocking on the first-team doors

At just 16 years old, Ebrima Tunkara is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about talents in the FC Barcelona youth academy.

The teenage La Masia prodigy already made history this season when he became one of the youngest players to make their debut for the Barcelona reserve team, Barça Atletic.

Ebrima Tunkara pushing for a first-team call-up

Now, SPORT reports that after enjoying a fine season with Barça Atletic and the Juvenil A (U19) sides, Ebrima is already knocking on the Barcelona first-team doors.

In fact, as per the report, a pre-season call-up under Hansi Flick in the upcoming summer cannot be ruled out.

Coaches at the Barcelona academy see Ebrima as a special kind of player, full of raw potential, but still developing. So much so that even now, they are still figuring out his best position on the pitch.

Naturally an attacking midfielder, Ebrima stands out more for his individual flair than his control of the game. That is why this season he has often been used as a wide player rather than in a central role, especially with Juvenil A.

Coaches feel he is not quite ready yet to dictate play, but his ability to beat defenders makes him a constant threat. That same logic has been applied in his early appearances with the reserve side, where he has also been used mainly out wide.