Tunkara.. A New Lamine Jamal at Barcelona Academy

SadaNews - Barcelona continues to discover its new gems within the "La Masia" academy, and this time all eyes are on the young Spanish player of Gambian descent, Ibrahima Tunkara, who is only 15 years old but is already regarded within the Catalan club as one of the most promising talents in European football.

From Gambia to Spain

Tunkara was born in Gambia and moved to Spain with his family in 2017. He was quickly discovered in Barcelona's youth teams, thanks to his high technical skills, astonishing dribbling ability, and an elegant touch that sets him apart from his peers, allowing him to progress rapidly from the under-15 category to the under-19 team at a very young age.

Local and International Brilliance

Currently, Tunkara shines with Barcelona's under-19 team, where he has participated in 3 matches and scored one goal. He also made his debut in the UEFA Youth League during a match against Paris Saint-Germain, leaving his mark in just a few minutes thanks to his skills and extraordinary speed.

During the recent international break, Tunkara donned the jersey of the Spanish under-17 national team and excelled by scoring 3 goals and providing an assist in two matches in the qualifying rounds for the European Championship, confirming that his talent extends beyond the academy to the international level as well.

Early Technical Maturity

Tunkara is characterized by his quick decision-making and ability to easily surpass defenders, as if he is playing against younger players, while he often faces opponents who are 3 to 4 years older than him. This technical and mental maturity has led Barcelona's coaches to include him among the talents that might reach the first team in the coming years.

A New Star Project at Barcelona

At Barcelona, they believe that nothing has changed in the club's philosophy; just as "La Masia" previously produced talents like Messi, Iniesta, and Pedri, it is now unveiling a new talent expected to write a new chapter of Catalan creativity.

Ibrahima Tunkara is not just a new name in the academy, but a potential global star that may soon shine in the skies of "Camp Nou," evoking memories of the talents that crafted Barcelona's glory.

Source: Al Jazeera