FC Barcelona is experiencing days of excitement and, at the same time, a certain degree of administrative tension. The resounding 3-0 victory over Mallorca in the league opener has reaffirmed Flick's project. However, not everything is calm in the offices, where Laporta and Deco are working against the clock.
The sporting management must solve an unexpected problem with its most promising signing of the summer, considered a future world star. The case is reminiscent of Franco Mastantuono at Real Madrid, although there are significant differences in strategy. Barça doesn't want to risk making mistakes that could result in a sanction.
Mastantuono's mirror at Bernabéu
At Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid surprised everyone by registering Mastantuono with a reserve team number, 30. Although he will officially belong to Castilla, the intention is for him to be available to Xabi Alonso from day one. The Argentine, who has just arrived from River Plate, doesn't consider playing in Primera RFEF under any circumstances.
Florentino Pérez and his team accepted that demand, since the player's goal is the 2026 World Cup. He needs minutes at the elite level to convince Lionel Scaloni, and that requires giving him immediate prominence. The problem is that this registration formula could be considered a legal fraud and lead to sanctions.
Barça had also designed a similar plan with its latest gem; the idea was to register him with a reserve team contract to ease the salary cap. However, from the very beginning, it was clear that Flick wasn't going to allow him to play in Primera RFEF. The German coach wants him fully integrated with the first team.
Warnings have come from La Liga; Javier Tebas has recommended that the blaugranas not repeat Madrid's maneuver. The risk of sanction is real and could compromise not only the player but also the entire club. In light of that warning, Deco and Laporta are looking for a solution that fits the rules.
Flick considers him non-transferable and essential
The coach has delivered a clear message: he wants him available right now to compete in La Liga and Champions League. He believes he is a game-changing footballer, with precocious talent that can change matches from his very first start. That's why he doesn't understand why bureaucratic issues are preventing him from being available immediately.
He couldn't be there against Mallorca in the first matchday, but Flick hopes to have him against Levante. The weekly planning includes specific training sessions to integrate him into the offensive routines alongside Rashford and Lamine. His role will be key in the rotation so Lewandowski can have a gradual rest.
Laporta and Deco are working against the clock
Optimism prevails in the offices, although they acknowledge that it won't be an easy process. The priority is to register him with a first-team contract, even if that means freeing up more salary mass ahead of schedule. Laporta trusts he will soon finalize a minor departure to create the necessary margin in the registry.
In addition, the pressure from the environment is increasing; the fans want to see him in action already, after weeks of media expectation. His signing caused enormous enthusiasm on social media, with many comparing him to already established prospects in Europe. Barça doesn't want the excitement to turn into frustration before September.
The coaches who have followed him closely have no doubt in labeling him a potential Ballon d'Or winner. His imbalance, goal-scoring ability, and personality on the field set him apart from other talents of his generation. There are even voices who place him above Mastantuono in terms of immediate projection.
Finally, the protagonist of this entire puzzle is Roony Bardghji, the Swedish gem dazzling at Camp Nou. Barça trusts it will register him before the clash against Levante so Flick can line him up. If they succeed, the team's future will take a leap in quality that few expected so soon.