Barcelona Youth Players Push for First-Team Roles as Defender Heads to MLS

Barcelona academy prospects Alvaro Cortés and Xavi Espart said they want to cement places in Xavi Hernández’s first‑team squad. Both featured in the club’s pre‑season friendly against Birmingham City, with Cortés replacing Gerard Martín at centre‑back and taking the team’s first penalty, while Espart started at right‑back and impressed with his runs.

Meanwhile centre‑back Mamadou Mbacke Fall, who never broke into the senior side after more than 60 appearances for Barcelona B, is set to leave the club. Sources say he will join Major League Soccer side St. Louis, returning to the United States after a stint with LAFC and a spell at Villarreal before moving to Spain.

The contrasting moves highlight the challenges young players face in progressing from La Masia to Barcelona’s first team.