Exclusive: 19-year-old La Masia defensive gem not part of Flick’s plan despite depth concerns

Barcelona's youth star Hafiz Gariba, a 19-year-old defensive talent, is not part of Hansi Flick's plans for the first team, according to information provided by Adrian Sanchez. Despite the club facing a shortage of center-back depth and a challenging 2026/27 season ahead, Flick does not believe Gariba is ready for the senior squad.

Signed in February 2025 to a three-year contract until 2028, Gariba has shown rapid progress since joining La Masia. His physical strength and defensive anticipation have made him stand out among his peers. However, despite the potential for a pre-season opportunity, Gariba missed out due to a fever, and his name has not surfaced as a viable solution for first-team matches.

Barcelona's current center-back options include Pau Cubarsi, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, and Jules Kounde, who primarily plays as a full-back. With a busy fixture list ahead, the lack of depth makes Gariba's eventual progression uncertain, as Flick is not prepared to rely on him at the senior level just yet.