La Masia’s talent, who Messi predicted a bright future for with Barcelona

Barcelona has a new rising star in their youth academy, with the added endorsement of Lionel Messi. Nico Marcebar is widely regarded as one of the most promising defenders to come out of La Masia, and his performances for various Argentine youth teams have even caught the attention of the football legend.

Marcebar, who has represented Argentina at both the under-16 and under-17 levels, is praised for his immense potential. There is talk in Argentina that he could soon advance to the under-20s or even the senior national team, thanks to his mature mindset and remarkable composure for his age. At just 16, he was still playing with the youth team only a few months ago, but he has already been training with Barcelona’s reserve team, which competes in Spain’s top division.

Though born in Castelldefels, Marcebar holds Argentine citizenship due to his parents’ roots in Santa Fe and has turned down a call-up from Spain’s national team. Versatile in defense, he can play both center-back and left-back, his favored position. Coaches who have worked with him praise his natural leadership, his ability to play the ball out of defense with precision, and his strong anticipation and ability to thwart opposing players.

Lionel Messi has already commented that Marcebar is a talent at Camp Nou with the potential to make a lasting impact, potentially following in the footsteps of Pau Coparci, who had a similar journey. Marcebar is certainly a player to watch in the years ahead, and Barcelona must keep a close eye on his development to ensure his continued progression.