Hansi Flick is already shaping up for his first summer as Barça's coach, and he'll do so with a bet that nobody expected. Among the most frequently mentioned names from the reserve and youth teams, one presence has stood out: Ibrahim Diarra. The Malian forward will be part of the first team's preseason, with all eyes on his performance.
The German wants to see several of La Masia's top prospects in action before deciding who will stay. Players like Toni Fernández, Jofre Torrents, or Juan Hernández are already on the list, but Diarra has earned his spot through hard work. Flick has requested that he not be left out, convinced that the young player has something different.
This will be his first major test wearing the first team's jersey after a season marked by ups and downs. He had few minutes, many obstacles, but a season finale that changed everything. Now, the club wants to see if that progress continues in a highly demanding context.
A complicated signing that began with doubts and ended with hope
Diarra arrived at La Masia at the end of December as one of the most promising bets from the international department. His arrival was surrounded by excitement, but also by physical and bureaucratic difficulties that affected his progress. The adaptation was tougher than expected and the initial impact was almost nonexistent.
For months, his name disappeared from the spotlight. He couldn't get into the rhythm with Barça Atlètic, which was fighting to avoid relegation. He didn't even establish himself in the youth team, where he barely showed glimpses of his quality amid injuries and a lack of match fitness.
However, everything changed in the final stretch of the season. As he became more comfortable physically and mentally, Diarra began to resemble the player who won the Silver Boot at the U-17 World Cup. From the wing or behind the "9," he once again showed speed, power, and the ability to decide matches.
The Youth League changed everything: brace and assist in the grand final
The turning point came in the Youth League, the tournament that has served as a springboard for several generations of Barça talents. Diarra was decisive in the final matches, but the best came in the final against Trabzonspor. There, he scored two goals and provided an assist that sealed the title for Belletti's side.
His performance didn't go unnoticed. At last, the internal reports that had brought him from Mali made sense. His name returned strongly to the sporting management's table, and Flick wanted to personally review his progress before making decisions.
Since then, those around him have insisted that he just needed time and trust. Now, with his draft for preseason confirmed, that opportunity has arrived. The Malian knows it: every minute could determine his future at the club that made a strong bet on him.
Diarra wants to stay: Flick will watch him from the first training session
The coaching staff have made it clear that there are no final decisions regarding the young players. Everyone working under Flick's orders will start on equal terms. For Diarra, this is a unique opportunity to show that his football is different and that he didn't come to La Masia by chance.
At 18 years old (18 años), and with a whole season ahead, the forward is looking to make a fresh start. The goal is to earn a spot, whether in the first team's dynamic or as one of the pillars of the new Barça Atlètic. Everything will depend on what he shows starting July 13.
Ibrahim Diarra is already ready and Barça is waiting for him. Flick wants to see if there's something special in his boots. The story begins now.