Barcelona expecting 15-year-old wonderkid to follow in Yamal’s footsteps soon
Churning out talents as frequently as waves crashing onto a shore, La Masia has been one of the major reasons Barcelona have been able to soften the blow of their financial crisis.
And under Xavi Hernandez’s tutelage, who once also emerged from the academy, a great deal of the talented youngsters within the youth ranks have been able to get a taste of senior team football.
Now, the list of youngsters plying their trade with the first team may soon grow as 15-year-old prodigy Toni Fernandez joins the ranks, currently undergoing training with the senior squad.
Training under Xavi’s supervision
Indeed, as per MARCA, striker Toni Fernandez, aged just 15, is training with Barcelona’s first team now during the international break under the watchful eye of Xavi.
Barcelona believe his best quality is his shooting, and that he has a chance of featuring in the first team in the foreseeable future.
The teenage forward is already an international for the Spanish Under-17 team, although Xavi has taken advantage of the fact that he missed the most recent call-up to witness him play.
As per the information, the 44-year-old has been impressed with what the youngster has to offer.
If he continues in the same way, Toni could follow in the footsteps of Lamine Yamal and break into the first-team setup at the age of just 15, like the latter did last season.
Yamal is the youngest player to debut for Barcelona at the age of 15 years nine months and six days. Toni is currently 15 years eight months and 15 days old. So, breaking that record seems unlikely as things stand.
Toni’s background
Toni Fernandez joined Barcelona from Espanyol in the youth divisions five years ago as the scouts recognized they had a superb talent on their hands.
Toni already participates in the youth team’s games and rotates between the Juvenil B side and the Division de Honor.
And with the international break underway, the 15-year-old is maximizing his opportunity and enjoying his first days with the senior team.
His contract expires next summer, although his continuity is not in doubt for the time being.
