Riqui Puig may not be a name that immediately resonates with most football fans, but there's a good chance it soon will be.
The 19-year-old made his first-team debut for Barcelona on Wednesday evening, coming off the bench to set up his side's fourth goal in a comfortable 4-1 win over Cultural Leonesa.
It was the assist that belied his age as he showed both composure and guile to lift the ball nonchalantly into the path of Denis Suarez, before the midfielder slotted the ball home.
It was only a glimpse into the creativity that lies at the feet of this La Masia product, but it was enough to get fans — and the club itself — excited about his future potential.
After watching his first meaningful contribution at the Nou Camp, the club's Twitter wrote: 'NICE PASS, KID! Barca's 19-year-old midfielder Riqui Puig — who's making his official debut tonight — got his first career assist on Denis's goal a few minutes ago!'
They were not the only ones impressed by Puig's instant impact. User BiyiToluwalase wrote: 'Just look at this brilliant assist by RIQUI PUIG! The future is here.'
Another, RalphDaGerona, was equally enthused, writing: 'Valverde, give the kid more game time!! He needs it, WE NEED IT!!!'
Another even compared him to Andres Iniesta.
Puig only broke into the Barcelona B team this year, making his debut on February 24 against Club Gimnastic de Tarragona in La Liga 2.
Standing at just 5ft 6.5in, he is as diminutive as some of the club's most famous products, notably Iniesta and Lionel Messi.
If he can continue in the same vein as his debut has promised, he may be able to match the pair in stature, not just height.
ODS
0
where is Arthur Melo ?
This photo includes La Masia players only.
Hitu420
0
Future is under La Masia’s hands ❤️ Visca El Barca🔴🔵
[image]
where is Arthur Melo ?
ODS
1
Future is under La Masia’s hands ❤️ Visca El Barca🔴🔵
lukcdmuz
0
barca neva fade away...still visca barca
CristoJosep
0
Dont forget that kid is not yet for a first team.He must do a lot of fitnes foot work becouse is yust a kid wright.At this moment it yust not the time yet to put him in first squad .He must develope furder and go harder with fitnes work becouse in La liga the opponents are tough with no mercy and they would crush his legs so we need to be careful how to include him in firs team.WISH YOU THE BEST KID AND TAKE CARE
MalemMarhsial
0
Aleña, munir, puig, malcom and dembele I see a great future for Barça 😍
I think chumi is also a best
locanox
0
I bet barca's midfield will be the best in the world again
foubclry
0
Arthur Puig And Busqets With Alena....
foubclry
0
He Iss a Beast....
Gokispasovski
0
the young kid is awesome but pasing is not good on him
haaha im so beter the him and then you
barontabuda
1
no more expensive buys..look laMasia policy.
RishikeshKulkarni
0
Aleña, munir, puig, malcom and dembele I see a great future for Barça 😍
you've forgotten Arthur Melo
suninho1
2
This is good for him now, He has already showed himself at this year preseason tour. For me, I'm really waiting for his explosion into the senior team for the world to see the great potential in him.
Rajavetrivel
0
im a barca fan too.. alex collado is a friend to one of our family in Europe.. he's one humble guy too!!
How about getting to know each other
Rajavetrivel
0
We Already Gets Next Xavi Which Is Arthur Melo,So if We gets Someone Can Be Next Iniesta it is Good News For All the FC Barcelona Fans,So We Will Still Remains Strong Like Pass decade. And we Still Gets That Hope We Can Still Maintain Place incoming Decades Again, We not Want be Like others Club's Teams, It Made The Name Two or Three, Four Years And Loss There's Positions In World Football Soccer. We Will Obtain it And Maintain it.
Hey u a barca fan it’s hard to find barca girls shall we be friends
TinyBacteria
0
the young kid is awesome but pasing is not good on him
Why are you even criticising him when you aren’t better?
Bislosy
0
One of the opposition’s player wanted to exchange shirt with Riqui Puig, but Puig clearly denied it by saying that it is his first official Barça game, so he won’t exchange this shirt.
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All new genreration they need more and more match to get expirions
tecbopsz
0
We Already Gets Next Xavi Which Is Arthur Melo,So if We gets Someone Can Be Next Iniesta it is Good News For All the FC Barcelona Fans,So We Will Still Remains Strong Like Pass decade. And we Still Gets That Hope We Can Still Maintain Place incoming Decades Again, We not Want be Like others Club's Teams, It Made The Name Two or Three, Four Years And Loss There's Positions In World Football Soccer. We Will Obtain it And Maintain it.
AshniStone
1
Barca does always produce the best players
Obed-messi
0
I hope Valverde will realise how good this boy is and will also realise how great he will be come when he's being giving the chance in the chance. I'll like to see him play in the first team soon to come.
Gokispasovski
0
the young kid is awesome but pasing is not good on him
Sarfrazahmed7
2
Aleña, munir, puig, malcom and dembele I see a great future for Barça 😍
Edoo87
2
yes he need time and we need it
Wasim-Ahmed
0
this boy is amazing. go ahead boy...
Jesilpsu
0
im a girl of coz!!! a Barca fan too!!
Datz nice.......me too am a Barca fan
Immanuel7
0
lovely football
Dimetri22
1
Let him Riqui Puiq. Don't compare him with legend like Inista, Xabi. It will definitely put pressure on him. He is a wonderkid but he need more game time and most importantly proper guidance of managers to turn talent into world class player. Hopefully Barcelona team management give him more game time.
Somaekmnz
0
Its a really class pass!!
prettybull
1
If u ar a girl i love u already.
im a girl of coz!!! a Barca fan too!!
deshan
0
I'd say he's very prepared to play in the first team.
Hoping Xavi will appoints as La masia coach as soon as possible and then being Senior team Coach..
deshan
3
from Generation to Generation.. La masia pride
BarcaBoy12
0
I'd say he's very prepared to play in the first team.
Barca's future is still bright...
Jesilpsu
2
watch out for Alex Collado.. his turn soon!!
If u ar a girl i love u already.
MayankAbiNiraula
1
Go wild over vincius jr. he his the future star
suhacntu
1
We need to reshuffle the squad and some of our Aged players should be made to go on...and Our New players must be given more time
Rajavetrivel
1
im a barca fan too.. alex collado is a friend to one of our family in Europe.. he's one humble guy too!!
Gd can we friends
prettybull
1
Hey u a gurl is he from barca
im a barca fan too.. alex collado is a friend to one of our family in Europe.. he's one humble guy too!!
Elsa98
2
I'd say he's very prepared to play in the first team.
Longlife2000
3
One of the opposition’s player wanted to exchange shirt with Riqui Puig, but Puig clearly denied it by saying that it is his first official Barça game, so he won’t exchange this shirt.
forcabarca15
1
Well i really don't see why are we still searching the market for midfielders when our own la masia putting in excellent perfomances
Rajavetrivel
1
watch out for Alex Collado.. his turn soon!!
Hey u a gurl is he from barca
prettybull
3
watch out for Alex Collado.. his turn soon!!
Samoyastic
26
first alena nau dix kid, lets not put 2much pressure on dem
lekz007
3
Thanks for the wallpaper Afer... the up coming legend of Barcelona is you Riqui Puig
liverpoli
4
He is starting to impress