A new Eusebio? Young talent Javi Espart included in Barcelona’s squad against Rayo

On Monday, February 17, Barcelona hosted Rayo Vallecano at the Estadi Olímpic, and among the squad for the match was young talent Javi Espart, a player tipped for a bright future.

Details: According to Barca Universal, the youngster participated in the team's post-match training session. So far, he has played six matches for Barcelona’s reserve team and is highly rated within the club. Some even compare him to the legendary Eusebio Sacristán, a former midfielder for Barcelona in the 1990s, who won several major trophies with the Catalans.

One of the most underrated players in Johan Cruyff’s iconic "Dream Team", Eusebio played for Barcelona from 1988 to 1995, winning four La Liga titles, the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup, the Champions League, and the Copa del Rey.

The primary similarity between Espart and Eusebio is their position. Initially a right central midfielder, Espart is a technically gifted player who, like Eusebio, does not rely on physicality but instead on his intelligence, positional awareness, and decision-making on the pitch.

Reminder: The match against Rayo Vallecano was also a historic moment for Barcelona’s young star Lamine Yamal, as he marked his 100th professional appearance at just 16 years old.