Barca ready to unleash a Guinea gem

Lamine Yamal, Pau Cubarsí, Fermín Lopez, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal...Barcelona has launched a host of super-talented La Masia graduates over the past two years, and soon Hansi Flick plans to unveil a new name — a young player who has been carefully polished in the finest conditions. On September 24th, before training ahead of the match between Oviedo and Barcelona, Flick called up a 16-year-old left-footed center-back with a double surname already known within the Blaugrana family — Kourouma.

His name is Baba, and his brother is Ilaix Kuruma Moriba, now a Celta Vigo player. Ilaix made his debut for Barcelona’s first team under Ronald Koeman in January 2021 at just 18 years old but forced a transfer to RB Leipzig only a few months later after refusing to extend his contract with the Catalan club — a move he later admitted was a mistake. After loan spells at Valencia and Getafe, he has now found stability at Celta, where he renewed his contract until 2029, more mature and experienced. His story now serves as an important lesson for his younger brother Baba, who is being advised to build his professional career carefully and patiently as it draws ever closer.

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Although only 16, Baba already plays and scores quite frequently for Barca’s U19A team under coach Pol Planas. Since Inigo Martínez’s departure, the club has lacked a natural left-footed center-back, and the fact that Kourouma fits that profile makes him an especially valuable project. Besides his technical elegance and precise passing — both short and long — he is also distinguished by his speed in transitions, duels, and anticipation. Barcelona are already considering his potential role in the senior squad. After all, Pau Cubarsí made his debut at just 16, four days before his 17th birthday, and Baba will celebrate his own 17th birthday on March 23, 2026. He was born in 2009 in Guinea and moved with his family to the Pyrenees when he was just a few years old.

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At 176 centimeters tall, he is still developing physically but has already outgrown his age group. Although he could still be playing for the younger U18 (Juvenil B) team, Baba is a regular starter for the U19A side, both in the UEFA Youth League and the Spanish domestic league. It was in the latter that he recently scored a spectacular goal against Espanyol — a long-range left-footed rocket straight into the top corner. Although a center-back, Kourouma often tries his luck from distance, and according to the Spanish media, he possesses a true cannon of a shot.

Kourouma also has the tactical intelligence and technical ability to play as a defensive midfielder, where he can dictate the tempo and join attacks — as he demonstrated in that same derby match. For all these reasons, Barcelona is closely monitoring his development and contractual situation. His contract was renewed in May, as soon as he turned 16, and now runs until 2028, when he will complete his youth phase. Many already see him as another La Masia gem — quiet, hardworking, and focused.