Alejandro Balde has established himself as an important player at Barça. His speed down the left wing and his offensive ability make him a key weapon for Hansi Flick. After his serious knee injury, the 20-year-old full-back has been regaining prominence and the coaching staff trust him to make a difference this season.
Balde combines defensive security with constant runs down the flank, which makes him indispensable. His experience in LaLiga, despite his youth, positions him as one of the most promising full-backs in Spanish soccer. However, the arrival of new talents from La Masia is starting to create direct competition.
La Masia returns to the first team
Barça has decided to register four young talents from the reserve team in the first-team squad for the 2025/26 season: Diego Kochen, Jofre Torrents, Guille Fernández, and Toni Fernández. Among them, Jofre Torrents, an 18-year-old left-back, could become Balde's most direct competition.
Torrents has already made his debut against Mallorca and showed confidence in his position. His inclusion in the 24-man first-team squad is an important step for his development. Although he keeps his reserve team registration, the decision to register him shows that the club trusts his ability to compete for minutes in LaLiga.
2025/26 squad planning
Currently, Barça's squad for next season is almost finalized. With 24 eligible players, the club has four goalkeepers, seven defenders, eight midfielders, and five forwards. Registering the young players from the reserve team allows the club to strengthen the squad without compromising the licenses of key players.
In addition to Balde, the registered defenders are Jules Koundé, Eric García, Pau Cubarsí, Ronald Araujo, and Andreas Christensen. Internal competition will be intense. Flick will have to manage the minutes so everyone keeps a competitive rhythm.
The pressure of competition
The arrival of Torrents and the presence of other academy players mean Balde won't have a guaranteed spot. The pressure can be positive, as it encourages the player to constantly improve. It also allows Flick to have alternatives in case of injuries or dips in performance.
Balde will remain important, but the emergence of a young player with similar talent means every match counts. Healthy competition is part of Laporta's project: taking advantage of La Masia's talent and strengthening the squad without major signings in every position.