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Fans go wild over Barcelona wonderkid Riqui Puig

  /  autty

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.