After a well-deserved rest day at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper, coinciding with FC Barcelona unveiling Iñigo Martínez, the first team are back in action this Friday with a double session. The available players of the team coached by Xavi Hernandez have carried out this morning the first training session of the day, in which Lamine Yamal has been in the spotlight.
The jewel of the Masia turned 16 yesterday and reached the age at which any footballer can sign his first professional contract. He is the club's big bet for the future and, barring a completely unexpected twist in the script, in the next few days we should have positive news about his renewal. His teammates gave him the customary caning and congratulated him on his birthday before the training session started.
Xavi's affectionate interactions with Sergiño Dest were another talking point from the morning, with the American’s future still up in the air. He will want to take full advantage of the pre-season to prove that he can earn a place in the squad. The coach has already made it clear that Alejandro Balde changed his mind last summer and that for him all the players started "from scratch" last Monday. It remains to be seen if he travels on the tour of the United States and, if he does, how he performs.
Meanwhile, Iñigo Martínez has continued individual training to overcome the fascia problems in his right foot, an issue that’s been troubling him for a year.