Xavi Espart talks Barcelona debut, Flick, La Masia, U19 Euro final: ‘Almost a dream’
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While the world focuses its attention on the FIFA World Cup, a concurrent event being played with high-quality football is the UEFA Under-19 European Championship.
Spain have reached the final of that event in commanding fashion and have been dominant throughout the competition at every stage.
The final will be played later today, and they are the favourites to walk away with the title. One of the members of that dominant contingent is Barcelona talent Xavi Espart who has played a pioneering role as a starter.
Espart’s detailed interview
Barcelona starlet Xavi Espart spoke to MARCA in a recent interview ahead of the final he is set to participate in later today, and he was grilled on a number of topics during the same.
He began by providing an update on how 2026 was for him and what he enjoyed in the campaign.
“It was almost a dream. Being able to make my debut with Barcelona and play a few minutes was my dream since I joined. All the experiences I lived through there, and everything I learned.”
“Training daily with those players makes you better. And I hope to end the season with a European title, that’s the goal now,” he added.
Espart has enjoyed a memorable 2026. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Speaking on his debut against Newcastle United for Barcelona, the player was then asked what was running through his mind then.
“Everything happened so fast. In fifteen or twenty seconds, I went from warming up to coming on, and I barely had time to even process it.
“And on top of that, it was the Champions League, at Newcastle’s stadium, with adrenaline levels so high that you don’t even have time to think.”
“It was seven or eight minutes where I felt like I was moving a thousand kilometers an hour. It was a dream, and I couldn’t believe it. I was the happiest person in the world in that moment,” he added.
Remembering who he messaged and reached out to in that special moment once he returned to the dressing room, Espart said,
“My parents. They were watching the match, but they couldn’t be there. I didn’t even have time to grab my phone because I had a press conference, but as soon as I did, I called them.”
“They were so shocked. My parents have been my biggest support, and a lot of the credit goes to them.”
On his journey in La Masia
The player was then asked if he ever thought he had it in him to make a first-team debut for Barcelona back during his time in La Masia.
“Actually, no. I had the dream, but I saw it as so far away. I joined Barcelona at eight years old, and I saw the first team as something impossible to reach.”
“I’d go to Camp Nou with my dad to watch Barcelona, and the debut was a dream, but you don’t fully believe it until you’re there. That was always the goal, and when it became reality, it was unbelievable,” he added.
Made in La Masia. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Belonging to a similar age group as Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, Espart is part of a special batch of early bloomers. Commenting on how it felt to share the dressing room with his aforementioned peers, he said,
“That made my integration into the first team so much easier. Having young players like Pau or Bernal makes you feel like a bigger part of the group because they help you.”
“At first, entering a locker room like that is complicated, but having those teammates, and everyone in general, since most of them are young and went through the same experience. I’ll always be grateful to them.”
When asked if he ever reminisces about the days when he was back in the academy with his age-mates who are now bona fide stars, the player said,
“Yes, of course. Sharing so many years in the youth categories, then seeing us there together enjoying these moments – it’s unbelievable.”
“They deserve it too; they’ve put in a long time. And being able to share this with them was an amazing experience.”
On his bond with Hansi Flick
The focus of the interview then shifted to Hansi Flick’s plans and Espart’s potential role in them heading into next season. First, he was reminded that Flick had compared him to Phillip Lahm and whether he preferred playing as a right-back or a midfielder.
“I’m grateful for that comparison because Lahm is a legend, and I see it as a compliment. At Barcelona, I made my debut as a full-back, and here I’m playing midfielder, which is the position I played up to the youth ranks.”
“I feel very comfortable in both positions, and I think that can be one of my strengths. Wherever they put me, I’ll give 100%,” he added.
Despite his admission, he stated that he would play wherever the manager preferred him without any fuss.
“Hansi will decide what to do. The important thing now is Saturday. We’ve fought so hard to be here, and I’m fully focused on the final.”
On the upcoming final
The 19-year-old defender then addressed the topic of the final he is set to play later today against Germany in the UEFA Under-19 European Championship and was asked about the team’s preparations.
Excelling at the U19 Euros with Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
“With excitement, in fact, because we’ve been here in camp for a long time. We’ve been waiting for this moment, so we’re not lacking in enthusiasm.”
When asked if he would have preferred to face Ukraine or Germany, the youngster did not have a clear pick.
“Honestly, I don’t care. We’ve proven that we’re capable of competing and that we trust in ourselves, and that’s what’s important.”
“The opponent is the least important thing; if we’re focused and at our level, it doesn’t matter who’s standing in front of us.”
Despite Spain’s undeniable talent, Espart refused to label his side as the favourites for the game.
“Putting the label of favourite on yourself is never a good thing. We come to these matches with a lot of humility, and we work as a team, and obviously we’re going to go for the win and give 100%.”
When reminded of his team’s incredible record including 17 goals scored, no goals conceded and even a 4-0 win over Germany earlier in the tournament, he said,
“That’s our thing. We prefer to keep going match by match. The Germany we’ll face tomorrow isn’t the same one we faced in the group stage. We’re ready and we’re going for everything.”
The player was then asked about his connection with Quim Junyent who was also at Barcelona until recently.
“Quim and I have shared the team and the relationship our whole lives. We came to Barcelona when we were little, and that shows on and off the field. It’s an addition we can bring.”
“But it’s not just about Quim; in a few days, we’ve managed to achieve harmony among everyone, and that’s the most important thing.”
The player then appealed to fans to follow the game of the Under-19 side later today, one which has been left in the shadow of the FIFA World Cup concurrently taking place.
“We have a very good dynamic, and on Saturday we’ll go in the same way, and we won’t lower our level at all.”
“Facing an opponent like Germany, if we’re not at 100%, it’ll be tough for us. It’ll be a good match, and if we’re focused, everything will go fine.”
Praising his teammates at the competition, the Barcelona star called the unit a ‘family.’
“As I said, we’ve been coming from the elite round and we’ve been in camp, and that’s made us more than just a group; we’re a family. We’re friends, we understand each other well, and there’s a good relationship between us.”
“All of that reflects on the field, and to win a tournament like this, everyone has to be at 100%. We’re good, and on Saturday we’ll go at 100%,” he concluded.