Marc Guiu, 17, who made his debut against Athletic Bilbao on Sunday and scored the game’s lone goal off the bench, received accolades from Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez for his fearlessness.
Guiu came in with little over 10 minutes remaining at the Olympic Stadium, and 33 seconds after being fed by Joao Félix, he slid home the winning goal to give Barca a slim 1-0 triumph.
“Marc is a kid from the academy and he made the difference,” Xavi said in a news conference. “I am happy for him and with the three points, which are really important.
“I thought of him in that moment because he is a goal scorer, he has a spark and I like him personally. I don’t have any problem looking at what we have in-house. The complete opposite. I want to give them the confidence that I was given at 17, 18 years old.”
Guiu is the most recent prospect to leave Barcelona’s youth system and have an effect on the first team.
This season, Lamine Yamal (16) and Fermin Lopez (20) have also made strides, scoring crucial goals in comeback victories over Mallorca and Granada.
Gavi (19) and Alejandro Balde (20), meanwhile, have both established themselves as regulars in Barça’s first team.
“The thing that surprises me with this generation is that they have no fear,” Xavi added of Barça’s youngsters. “Maybe it was different in my day. They have that spark. They look at me with a face that says: ‘Put me on, I’ll show you that it will go well.’ When we put them on, they’re ready, they show character and bravery.
“I saw it in Gavi, Balde, Lamine, Fermín… and I saw it in Marc. There was no fear in his face.
“I told him he would get one chance. He gets one chance and he took it. I felt he was ready. I am really happy for Marc, he is a good kid who works hard.
“To score with his first touches is extraordinary. I’ve congratulated him just now and you can imagine how he is feeling. It’s quite possibly the best day of his life.”
Guiu, who joined the club’s academy in 2013 and is a Spain U17 international, enjoyed the moment.
“I can’t believe it,” he told reporters. “I am enjoying the moment. I didn’t imagine this. I have been working my whole life for it, taking advantage of every opportunity and… I won’t sleep tonight.