Each pre-season at FC Barcelona seems to unveil a new talent. During Hansi Flick’s inaugural season, it was Marc Bernal who shone, while last summer heralded the rise of Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez.
This summer, the emerging star at Barcelona is rapidly becoming Ebrima Tunkara.
According to SPORT, the 16-year-old attacking midfielder has wowed everyone at the club and is recognized as one of the biggest revelations of Flick’s pre-season, alongside fellow youngster Hamza Abdelkarim.
Originally from The Gambia, Tunkara moved to Mataro as a child and now holds the distinction of being the youngest player in the squad, having been born in 2010. His age hasn’t hindered his influence on the team.
A Unique Talent
Tunkara has captured attention not only for his physical prowess but also for his technical skills.
His performances in training have left many senior players astonished, with Fermin Lopez recently stating that Tunkara was the most impressive player in the early days of pre-season, along with Orian Goren.
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Barcelona has believed in his potential for some time, having formalized his first professional contract back in January, which took effect when he turned 16 in March.
Tunkara impressed in his debut against Birmingham. (Photo credit: FC Barcelona official website)
Shining Against Birmingham City
After Barcelona’s closed-door match against Europa, fans had an opportunity to see Tunkara in action during the friendly against Birmingham City.
Although he didn’t score, the young talent showcased a remarkable 45-minute performance.
He displayed confidence in ball handling, evaded pressure with smart turns, exhibited exceptional vision while in possession, and even forced an opponent into a booking with his aggressive running.
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As with most players his age, decision-making remains an area for growth, which is to be expected for a 16-year-old competing against seasoned professionals.
What continues to draw admiration from Barcelona’s coaching staff is his mindset. He approaches each training session with focus, determination, and ambition, often appearing even more impactful during practices, where his innate talent consistently shines.
His adaptability is another asset, as he can fill roles both as an attacking midfielder and on the wings.
Flick Monitoring His Development
Flick is thrilled with Tunkara’s progress and remains actively involved in refining various facets of the young player’s game.
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New fitness coach Benjamin Kugel has also noted Tunkara’s physical strength and endurance, which is impressive for someone his age.
Barcelona recognizes that while there is much work ahead, the excitement surrounding Tunkara is rapidly escalating.
At just 16 years old, Ebrima Tunkara is already demonstrating potential to become one of La Masia’s next great success stories.