Xavi Espart’s Barcelona dream and the U19 Euro final he can’t miss

At the UEFA Under-19 European Championship final later today, Barcelona’s Xavi Espart will step onto the pitch with Spain’s youth team. The 19-year-old defender has already marked his name in the club’s first team, but the continental stage offers another chance to shine. Espart’s path to this moment began long before today. Speaking to ahead of the final, he described 2026 as “almost a dream.” His Barcelona debut, brief but unforgettable, fulfilled a lifelong ambition. “Being able to make my debut with Barcelona and play a few minutes was my dream since I joined,” he said. “All the experiences I lived through there, and everything I learned.” His debut against Newcastle United in the Champions League remains vivid. “Everything happened so fast. In fifteen or twenty seconds, I went from warming up to coming on,” he recalled. “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.” The emotions spilled over once the final whistle blew. “My parents were watching the match, but they couldn’t be there,” Espart said. “As soon as I could, I called them. They were so shocked. My parents have been my biggest support, and a lot of the credit goes to them.” La Masia shaped his journey. “I joined Barcelona at eight years old, and I saw the first team as something impossible to reach,” he admitted. “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.”

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He shares this moment with peers like Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi. “Having young players like Pau or Bernal makes you feel like a bigger part of the group,” he said. “At first, entering a locker room like that is complicated, but having those teammates helps.” Espart also reflected on the academy days. “Sharing so many years in the youth categories, then seeing us there together enjoying these moments – it’s unbelievable,” he said. “They deserve it too; they’ve put in a long time.” The interview turned to Hansi Flick, who has compared Espart to Phillip Lahm. “I’m grateful for that comparison because Lahm is a legend,” he said. “I feel very comfortable in both positions, and I think that can be one of my strengths.”

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On Flick’s plans, Espart remained focused on the task ahead. “Wherever they put me, I’ll give 100%,” he said. “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.” Spain enter the final as favourites, dominant throughout the competition. For Espart, the day represents another milestone in a year that has already exceeded expectations.