Carles Pérez thrilled with debut

No fewer than eight La Masia products have played their first games at the highest level this season. The latest youngster to make his senior debut under Ernesto Valverde was Carles Pérez, who came on for the last quarter of an hour of the game at Eibar.

“I’m very happy” said the 21-year-old striker in an interview with Barça TV and fcbarcelona.com. “It’s a dream I have been working towards for years.”

“My parents sent me congratulations and told me how proud they were to see their son playing for the Barça first team” he continues. “My whole family are fans. Since a very young age, all kids have dreamt of playing with Messi one day. I have done that now, but I still have a long way to go.”

Born in the Catalan city of Granollers, the right-sided player joined the club at U14 level and has been working his way up the ranks ever since, playing 26 games for Barça B this season, scoring nine goals and providing four assists.

“I thank the club and all the different coaches who have helped to make this possible” he concludes with a smile.