Barcelona wonderkid Dro stuns in preseason debut as Flick’s gamble pays off
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Barcelona wonderkid Dro couldn’t have asked for a better first taste of senior football. Just 17 years old, the Galicia-born midfielder made his Barcelona debut during their preseason clash against Vissel Kobe. Subbed on in the 79th minute, Dro didn’t waste time: eight minutes later, he found the net. That’s the kind of story La Masia legends are made of. For Hansi Flick, it confirmed something he’s believed from day one: age means nothing if the talent’s real.One to watch for fans making informed LaLiga Predictions
- 17-year-old Pedro “Dro” Fernández scores on his Barcelona first-team debut
- Hansi Flick shows early trust in the La Masia product during Japan tour
- Barça already looking to extend his contract beyond 2027
“I was nervous, yeah. But I got the first chance… and it went in,” Dro admitted, almost sheepishly, after the match. His raw, joyful reaction said everything. Barcelona’s newest hopeful didn’t just score a goal: he made a statement. Playing mostly as a left winger or attacking midfielder, Dro’s quick feet, smart positioning, and composure caught eyes instantly. Not just fans’ eyes, either, Flick’s too.
Flick has always championed young talent. At Bayern, and now at Barça, he doesn’t care much for names, he cares about merit. Dro earned his preseason call-up after impressing in training with the senior squad. The reports from staff were glowing. And when Flick finally saw him live, there was no doubt: this kid’s got something special. Alongside other young call-ups like Jofre and Kochen, Dro was one of the few teenagers not cut from the final traveling squad to Asia.
Originally from Vigo, with Filipino and Galician roots, Pedro Fernández Sarmiento—Dro, for short—joined Barcelona in 2022 and has a contract until 2027. But with his name now lighting up headlines and highlight reels, the club has already started talks to extend that deal. They’ve seen this story before. Letting a gem slip away isn’t something they can afford. And with other clubs surely watching, the pressure’s on.
Hansi Flick summed it up best after the game: “We need to take care of Dro and help him grow. That’s our job—and we’ll do it.” High praise, and a clear plan. Whether Dro becomes a first-team regular this season or not, one thing’s certain: the Barça faithful and anyone making bold LaLiga Predictions might want to keep a close eye on this rising star.
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