Barcelona refuse to give up on injury-hit La Masia wonderkid with U-17 World Cup in sight

In an effort to overcome his injury issues, Barcelona remains committed to the development of young striker Ismael Ziani Lopez. Despite a history of injuries that have frequently disrupted his progress, the 16-year-old is now focusing on a gradual return to regular football, with the Morocco U-17 World Cup as his primary goal. For a player who has spent much of his development dealing with physical setbacks, securing consistent playing time is of greater importance than racing to make his debut in the first team.

Barcelona intends for Ziani, who signed a professional contract in December 2025, to rebuild his fitness and showcase his abilities on a regular basis. The teenager is currently scheduled to play in a Juvenil A match against Racing Zaragoza on Saturday, as Barcelona continues to manage his progression. The club acknowledges that Ziani has faced significant setbacks due to injuries, including knee and fibula problems that have required surgeries.

These setbacks have led to limited playing experience for the striker, with just 39 matches across the infantil, cadet, and youth categories since joining Infantil B in the 2022/23 season. Nevertheless, Ziani has demonstrated his potential, scoring the winning goal in his Juvenil B debut during the current league campaign. Barcelona is now prioritizing a controlled increase in his workload to give him more demanding minutes over time, while minimizing the risk of further physical harm.

The upcoming Morocco U-17 World Cup in Qatar, which runs from November 19 to December 13, serves as an additional incentive for the young striker to regain consistency. Both Barcelona and Morocco see value in Ziani accumulating meaningful playing time with Juvenil A, as regular football would bolster his chances of selection and help him rebuild the rhythm that injuries have repeatedly taken away.