Pre-season at Barcelona is not only a time for the senior players to regain their fitness levels, but also an opportunity for Hansi Flick to experiment with tactical variations he plans to use throughout the upcoming campaign.

Beyond fitness and tactics, one of the most thrilling aspects of Barcelona’s pre-season is seeing young La Masia prospects earn their shot to impress the coaching staff. Flick has already demonstrated his willingness to open that pathway for academy talents.

Last summer, the German coach included several promising youngsters such as Toni Fernandez, Guille Fernandez, Jofre Torrent, and Pedro ‘Dro’ Fernandez in the pre-season touring squad.

This summer could offer another platform for emerging La Masia talents to shine. Here are three players who could make the most of the opportunity.

Xavi Espart made his senior debut against Newcastle United, a moment that remains a milestone in his young career. The 18-year-old was regularly involved with the first team in the latter stages of the 2025/26 season and even earned a league start soon after his Champions League debut, where he replaced Ronald Araujo late in the game.

Espart’s ability to function as a full-back with the tactical awareness of a midfielder makes him a valuable asset, and Flick clearly recognises his potential. The Barcelona manager even likened the youngster to Phillip Lahm in terms of style—a high compliment that reflects how highly he is rated within the club.

With the right-back position remaining a point of discussion in the first team, Espart’s performances in pre-season could significantly boost his chances of cementing a greater role.

Another familiar face to the senior squad is Tommy Marques. The young midfielder has been a consistent feature in Flick’s squad lists since the start of the year, having made his debut against Mallorca and appeared again as a substitute in another fixture.

Marques’ long-standing involvement in first-team training gives him an advantage heading into pre-season. A devoted admirer of Frenkie de Jong, Marques even shares a resemblance to the Dutch playmaker. If he can replicate even part of de Jong’s quality, Barcelona could have another gem emerging from their academy.

Perhaps the most intriguing name among the upcoming prospects is Ebrima Tunkara. The 16-year-old forward has been drawing attention with his performances for Spain’s Under-17 side in the European Championship and has quickly become one of the standout figures in Barcelona’s youth ranks.

Tunkara’s game is characterised by energy, aggression, and versatility across attacking positions. Still at an age where his style can be further developed, he has already been hailed as the next Lamine Yamal within the academy setup due to his rapid progression through the levels.

A pre-season call-up would give him valuable exposure to first-team dynamics. Should he make a strong impression—similar to how Gavi, Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez did in recent years—Ebrima Tunkara could well be the next breakout star at Barcelona.