Barcelona are getting ready for a fresh start under boss Hansi Flick after their title winning season — 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). It’s a bold move from Flick, but one that shows Barca’s 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 €1.7 million to Africa Foot Academy.
𝗜𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹! 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗞𝗮𝗸𝗮́! 🇲🇱🤯
Ibrahim Diarra confirms his talent in front of the world with Barcelona! 🇲🇱🤲🏾
2 goals ⚽️⚽️ + 1 assist 🎯pic.twitter.com/u0FHiDp7uy
— MALI COMPS 🇲🇱 (@malicomps) April 28, 2025
But when Diarra first landed in Spain last November, things weren’t quite smooth. He wasn’t 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 didn’t sit back.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
He worked hard to get match-ready and ended the season playing a key role in Barcelona’s historic youth-level treble—winning 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 Barcelona’s 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 — and a promise. If he stuck to it, he’d 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 — clearly someone who wants to make the most of this chance.
He’s expected to arrive in Barcelona soon and could start training with Flick’s squad as early as Sunday or Monday. For a kid from Mali, that’s not just a promotion — it’s a foot in the Camp Nou door.
Barcelona news and related links
