FC Barcelona continues to make it clear that they are decisively betting on a starting eleven full of young talents. This approach is not the result of chance, but is reflected in the most recent statistics.
According to Opta data provider, the 'Azulgrana' team presented against RCD Mallorca a starting eleven with the lowest average age of matchday 1 of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. The initial lineup put on stage by Hansi Flick against the 'Bermellones', averaged 23 years and 272 days, demonstrating a clear commitment to youth without sacrificing competitiveness.
The starting XI of FC Barcelona against RCD Mallorca was composed of:
- Joan García: 24 years and 108 days
- Eric García: 24 years and 223 days
- Ronald Araujo: 26 years and 166 days
- Pau Cubarsí: 18 years and 210 days
- Alejandro Balde: 21 years and 306 days
- Frenkie de Jong: 28 years and 100 days
- Pedri González: 22 years and 268 days
- Lamine Yamal: 18 years and 38 days
- Fermín López: 22 years and 101 days
- Raphinha: 28 years and 249 days
- Ferran Torres: 25 years and 172 days
Ranking of the clubs with the youngest eleven: who follows Barça?
Followed by the Barcelona team, the analysis of Opta places Real Madrid in the second position of the top 5, with a starting eleven against CA Osasuna, which averaged 25 years and 213 days. Two years and 59 days more than the 'culé' team.
Sevilla FC completes the podium, which against Athletic Club presented an eleven with an average of 25 years and 345 days. In turn, in the fourth position is Villarreal CF, which against Real Oviedo lined up an eleven of 26 years and 88 days, while Atlético de Madrid occupies the fifth place with an average of 26 years and 90 days against RCD Espanyol.
Young and competitive squad: the formula of the 'Azulgrana' club for 2025/26
These numbers reflect the clear strategy of FC Barcelona: to combine experience and youth in a solid project. A squad that barely exceeds 22 years of average, with only three players over thirty and several under 20 years, perfectly balancing dynamism and experience, a key factor in the success of the sports project of Hansi Flick.
- Marc-André ter Stegen (33)
- Iñaki Peña (26)
- Joan García (24)
- Wojciech Szczęsny (35)
- Jules Koundé (26)
- Ronald Araujo (26)
- Pau Cubarsí (18)
- Eric García (24)
- Andreas Christensen (29)
- Alejandro Balde (21)
- Gerard Martín (23)
- Héctor Fort (19)
- Frenkie de Jong (28)
- Pedri González (22)
- Gavi (21)
- Fermín López (22)
- Dani Olmo (27)
- Marc Casadó (21)
- Marc Bernal (18)
- Robert Lewandowski (36)
- Lamine Yamal (18)
- Raphinha (28)
- Ferran Torres (25)
- Marcus Rashford (27)
- Roony Bardghji (19)