Barcelona Atletic fullback returns to help out Xavi again – report

BARCELONA, SPAIN - OCTOBER 26: Xavi Hernandez, Manager of FC Barcelona applauds the fans following their side's defeat and elimination from the UEFA Champions League in the UEFA Champions League group C match between FC Barcelona and FC Bayern München at Spotify Camp Nou on October 26, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain.

Photo by Pedro Salado/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images

There are quite a few promising names at Barcelona that continue to emerge from the subsidiary. The club’s academy continues to produce great talents and it is consistent in doing so. However, Barcelona has to be a bit picky with the youngsters it decides to bet on.

This is because not a lot of extra space and time is there to be distributed. Yet, youngsters who truly stand out do not face much trouble in gaining recognition within the first team and carving their own space within the side. Such has also been the case of Hector Fort, the latest of young faces to impress Xavi.

In the case of the young fullback, SPORT highlights his great progression. Already an international within Spain’s lower categories, he continues to be one of La Masia’s brightest assets.

This season, a great moment of his career was marked through his first team debut that came against Royal Antwerp in the UEFA Champions League.

Now, he even looks set to be utilized yet again by Xavi in the upcoming encounter. With Barcelona set to take on Unionistas in the Copa Del Ray, the coach will be forced to make use of Fort. With Joao Cancelo and Ronald Araujo both unavailable, Fort and Balde become the only useable fullbacks.

However, Fort has already proven himself to be more than capable of holding his own. Whenever tested, even if it is out of position, the 17-year-old has shown that he possesses the ability to rise to the occasion. Against Barbastro, he showcased this ability particularly well.

While he was not used in the intense games of the Spanish Super Cup, he will likely now return. Alongside him, however, Xavi could opt for a much more rotated team. Overcoming Unionistas will be essential, however, given the revitalized importance of the Copa Del Ray for Barça.