Barca snatch an African gem

The Angolan Jorge Alberto Mendonca was the first-ever African to wear Barcelona's jersey, making 33 appearances between 1966 and 1969. Since then, 17 more players from the "Mother Continent" have represented the Catalans, but Barca recently secured the name #19 - Ibrahim Diarra.

The 18-year-old Malian joined Blaugrana from his homeland's Academie Africa Foot, where he played for the past two years, making 25 appearances and scoring seven goals. Additionally, he represented Mali U-17 at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, which he opened with one goal in the group stage but then netted in each of Mali's knockout-stage clashes and was named the tournament's "Silver Boot," recording five goals and four assists in total.

No wonder he supports Rodri's strike: Kounde clocked 5,872 minutes in a single year!

Diarra is left-footed, plays as a winger and is known for his extraordinary speed. Initially, he'll train with Barcelona B before joining Barca's senior squad. He is the second Malian player at Camp Nou after Seydou Keita, who played 188 games for the Catalans between 2008 and 2012.