Alejandro Balde
Alejandro Balde is enjoying an impressive start to the 2022/23 season. The 18-year-old is enjoying his breakthrough at Barcelona under Xavi Hernandez, while he is also impressing for the Spanish Under-21 national team.
The teenage left-back came through the youth ranks at La Masia and made his first-team debut last year under Ronald Koeman. However, it is in the ongoing campaign that he has gained major prominence.
So much so that Balde is currently Barça’s first-choice left-back ahead of proven and experienced individuals like Jordi Alba and Marcos Alonso.
Having been rewarded for his form with a call-up to the Spanish Under-21 national team, Balde has made an impression at the international level too.
The 18-year-old had a solid game at left-back when the Spain U-21 side faced Norway on Tuesday. And following the match, manager Luis de la Fuente hailed Balde and claimed the youngster had unlimited potential.
Balde has so far featured five times for Barcelona in La Liga this season and has registered three assists in the process. There are a lot of expectations on the teenage prodigy, who is likely to be handed a new contract to ensure that his long-term future is tied down to the club.
[Source: barcauniversal.com]