Four youth prospects from FC Barcelona's academy have been called up to the Spain Under-16 national team for two international friendlies. The Barcelona defenders and forwards will join the national squad facing Italy on September 15 and 17 at Coverciano in Florence.
This news, first reported by Mundo Deportivo, comes during a strong period for the senior team, which tops La Liga with 12 points from four straight wins. The team has scored 17 goals and conceded just two, holding a two-point lead over Alaves. This elite-level success highlights the importance of continually nurturing the base with homegrown players.
Who are the Barcelona players called up?
The four Barcelona players joining the Spanish squad are defender Lucas Bernal, midfielder Pau Sarrià, and forward Héctor Asumu. These three, along with a fourth unnamed teammate mentioned in the initial report, are part of the 22-player list selected by coach Hernán Pérez. All four were regulars for the Spain Under-15 side last season, showing steady progression that now takes them to the next level.
The call-up shows the quality of La Masía. Just last week, six other Barcelona players trained with the Spain Under-15 team, also managed by Hernán Pérez. That group included goalkeeper Ander Pérez, defenders Alan Guerra and John Ovie, and midfielders David Moreno, Enzo Pérez, and Antonio Amaya. This consistent pipeline of talent into the national youth setups is a clear indicator of the health of Barcelona's academy.
What is the schedule for the friendlies?
Coach Hernán Pérez has scheduled two preparation matches against the Italian side. Javier Gascón outlined the program: "La selección española Sub-16, dirigida por Hernán Pérez, disputará dos amistosos de nivel ante Italia el martes 15 y el jueves 17 de septiembre en Coverciano (Florencia)." These tests will help evaluate players for future official competitions.
The matches will be played at the Italian Football Federation's technical center, a prestigious setting for these young prospects. For the Barcelona boys, it will be an invaluable opportunity to test themselves against quality opposition in an international environment, continuing their football development away from home.
How does this fit with the club's current context?
The youth call-ups coincide with a demanding period for the first team. Barcelona visits Levante, tenth in the table, in their next Liga outing on September 13. Also, the team is managing an injury list that includes Eric García, Frenkie de Jong, Jesse Bisiwu, and Roony Bardghji. In this scenario, the academy is not only the future but also a reminder of the long-term project's solidity.
The team's performance in the La Liga standings, with a perfect record of wins, generates optimism. However, the club always looks beyond the short term. The development and projection of these youngsters is a core part of its identity. Their progress with the national team is an achievement in itself and another step on their path to the senior squad.
Attention is now split between the match against Levante and monitoring these youths in Florence. Fans can check the club's full schedule on our fixtures page. The appointment at Coverciano is on Tuesday, September 15.
