Janice R. Andrews
As Barcelona prepared for a landmark season with Messi, Neymar, and Suarez leading the charge, FIFA 15 highlighted some of the club’s rising stars. A decade later, let’s catch up with the three wonderkids who were once seen as the future of Barcelona.
Munir El Haddadi
Touted as Barcelona’s next star, Munir broke into the first team in the 2014-15 season and made an impact by scoring five goals in the 2015-16 Copa del Rey. However, his early promise dwindled after a series of loan moves. In 2019, he left the club and switched international allegiances from Spain to Morocco. Now, Munir plays for newly-promoted Leganés in Spain, aiming to regain his form.
Rafinha Alcântara
Rafinha, the younger brother of Thiago, spent nine years with Barcelona but never fully secured a regular spot. He moved between loan spells before signing with Paris Saint-Germain in 2020. Despite the high-profile move, Rafinha struggled for consistent game time in Paris. Currently, he is exploring new opportunities to revive his career away from PSG.
Cristian Tello
Tello burst onto the scene with a goal on his Champions League debut, but with Messi, Suarez, and Neymar dominating Barcelona’s attack, his chances were limited. After loan stints at Porto and Fiorentina, he permanently joined Real Betis in 2017. Now 33, Tello plays for Al-Orobah in Saudi Arabia, continuing his career outside of Europe’s top leagues.
In Summary
While their careers didn’t unfold as predicted, Barcelona’s former wonderkids have each forged their own paths, from Spain to Saudi Arabia, leaving their mark on the global football stage.
