La Masia prodigy Ebrima Tunkara, 16, picks Barcelona

A report from the Camp Nou training grounds 16‑year‑old La Masia jewel Ebrima Tunkara wants only Barcelona, despite intense interest from top European clubs. The teenager, already training with the first‑team squad, has made his intentions clear as scouts from across the continent circle.

Ebrima Tunkara is regarded as one of La Masia’s biggest talents and is currently completing preseason training with the FC Barcelona first team. The Blaugrana believe his potential could make him one of the young players capable of defining an era.

Tunkara joined La Masia in the summer of 2021. Born in Gambia, he chose Pini Zahavi as his agent shortly after turning 16 and has already impressed with Spain’s U‑17 side after a Barça Athletic debut at 15.

European clubs watch closely

Despite being only 16, his technical and physical qualities have attracted attention across the football world. Mundo Deportivo several of Europe’s biggest clubs have already shown interest and are trying to convince the player and his family to leave Barcelona.

He is currently training under German manager Hansi Flick during the pre‑season, and Flick has expressed delight with his work while closely monitoring his development.

Flick’s mentorship and ambition

Tunkara’s next objective is to persuade Flick to let him train with the first team as often as possible, believing that daily exposure to the club’s biggest talents will raise the demands placed on him and bring his dream closer.

The teenager boasts a remarkably developed physique, combining physical power with technical quality and a natural eye for goal. He can operate as a central midfielder, an attacking midfielder, and has even been tried as a false‑nine by Flick during pre‑season.

Despite the attention from Europe’s biggest clubs, Tunkara has only eyes for Barcelona and is determined to succeed at the Blaugrana.