The imposing defender of the youth team who aims for the first team of FC Barcelona: who is he?
Published New:25/08/2025 - 21:36h
Updated New:25/08/2025 - 21:42h
The young left-footed center back from the youth team is catching Hansi Flick's attention. Will this be his opportunity in the first team?
At FC Barcelona, while it doesn't seem to be an absolute priority, the board maintains the expectation of strengthening the defense with a left-footed defender. After the departure of Iñigo Martínez, who went to Al Nassr of Saudi Arabia, the Azulgrana team was left with several good-level options, but none with a left-footed profile.
Faced with this scenario, the coaching staff is analyzing different alternatives to cover that gap in the defense. A provisional solution has been Gerard Martín, whom Hansi Flick lined up as a left-footed center back in the preseason and who could add minutes in that position throughout the season.
What if the solution to this problem was in the youth academy? Everything points to yes. In Barça Atlètic there is a player who strongly attracts attention and is positioned as a viable option to reinforce the left side of the defense: Álvaro Cortés, a 20-year-old who has been shining in the U-20 Intercontinental Cup, where he was an undisputed starter forming a partnership with Andrés Cuenca, another left-footed center back.
Álvaro Cortés: power, technique, and goal for the Azulgrana defense
In the final against Flamengo, played at the Maracanã, Cortés delivered an outstanding performance. He showed himself as a center back with great physical presence, powerful lower body, and 1.89 meters tall, a condition he knows how to take advantage of. In fact, in that same match, he converted a goal from the air, surpassing all his markers.
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Cortés, a consolidated center back in Barça Atlètic who seeks to make the leap to the first team: will he make it?
Beyond that final, Álvaro Cortés's performance is no coincidence. Hansi Flick called him up on several occasions to train with the first team during the 2024/25 season, even being called up for the match against Celta de Vigo on matchday 14 of LaLiga. His progress was only hampered by the overbooking of defenders in the first team.
During the past season, the Zaragoza native consolidated himself as one of the pillars of Barça Atlètic, standing out not only for his imposing physique but also for his tactical intelligence, ability to anticipate and cut plays, and firmness in one-on-one situations. In turn, he is a neat player in the ball output, with the personality to lead the defense despite his youth.
- 📌 NUMBERS OF ÁLVARO CORTÉS IN THE 2024/25 SEASON WITH BARÇA ATLÈTIC: 31 matches played (2167'). One goal and no assists.
An interesting profile that could have opportunities with the first team this season, although a change of scenery is not ruled out, as teams like FC Andorra and Real Valladolid are interested in his incorporation. Will he have his great chance in the highest category of Azulgrana football or will he look for minutes away from Can Barça? The market will have the answer.
