Ibrahim Diarra Making Waves at Barcelona: Club Faces Decision on Young Talent

Ibrahim Diarra, the 17-year-old forward from Mali, has been on trial with FC Barcelona’s reserve team since the end of January, and he has already had time to showcase his skills. While facing some challenges in terms of positioning and adapting to Barcelona’s specific style of play, Diarra has grasped concepts better than expected and is making an impact, especially with his explosiveness and quick movements.

Diarra typically plays as a right-winger with his weaker foot forward, where he excels, but he can also operate in the center or drop deeper into the midfield. In both training sessions and matches against the reserve team and youth players, he has stood out for his ability to dribble, showcasing high technical quality, and his capacity to take powerful shots. Offensively, he brings many interesting elements, displaying goal-scoring prowess and intelligence in the final pass.

His teammates have welcomed him warmly, treating him as one of their own and assisting him as needed. Diarra arrived in good physical condition, aiding his adaptation to the fast-paced training sessions with the reserve team. The player feels comfortable, having observed the first team at Montjuïc and sensing integration, although the trial is entering its final stages.

Now, it is up to the Barcelona club to decide on his signing. There is still time as Ibrahim Diarra turns 18 on December 12, 2024. Being a non-EU player, he cannot be officially signed yet, and patience is required. The forward already came with positive reports, reflecting his development at Academie Africa Foot, his involvement with Mali in the Africa U-17 Cup, and notably, his performance in the U-17 World Cup, where he was closely monitored by Barcelona scouts. He scored 5 goals and provided 4 assists in the tournament.