Many people outside Catalonia may not have heard Riqui Puig’s name mentioned before, but he is drawing comparisons to the great Lionel Messi.
It is never wise to compare youngsters who have barely begun their senior career to legends and hence burden them with high expectations. However, it’s extremely hard not to in the talented teenager’s case.
“That a player of his age could play like that, before 90,000 fans, undeterred by [Federico] Balzaretti, the full-back who marked him, and it seemed [Lionel Messi] knew everything he was going to do.
“His personal quality, dribbling, fantasy…he grabbed the ball and went straight for goal with an unusual audacity.”
These words were uttered by Fabio Capello back in 2005 as he watched a 17-year-old Messi tear apart his Juventus side in a friendly. The Bianconeri boss was awestruck by the prodigious Argentine and casually approached Barcelona boss Frank Riijkard with a transfer request.
Thirteen years later, it was the turn of another La Masia graduate to bask in the praise of an Italian manager in a pre-season friendly. AC Milan coach, the legendary Genarro Gattuso, was extremely impressed by the performance of Puig, who was tormenting his players in midfield.
“Riqui Puig is a spectacle. I am amazed to see a lad with the face of a child treat the ball like that. I see that he feels football inside him and what he did was like poetry,” the tenacious Italian said.
Riqui Puig (l) is highly thought of at the Camp Nou.
What is so special about this baby-faced wonder who has rekindled the hopes of the elitists of La Masia’s resurrection? We take a look:
PROFILE
Age: 19
Height: 1.69m
Place of birth: Matadepera, Spain
Position: Midfielder (centre, left, right)
Barcelona U-18 achievements: UEFA Youth League 2017/18 (champions)
Barcelona senior appearances: 1
Goals: 0
Assists: 1
Notable performances: Tottenham (pre-season friendly), AC Milan (pre-season friendly), Cultural Leonesa (Copa Del Rey)
STRENGTHS
Press resistance and spatial awareness
An extremely crucial trait to fit into a team like Barcelona, Puig’s press resistance – despite his small frame – makes him a frontrunner to gain promotion to the first team among other Barcelona B players.
The youngster’s awareness of space and the ability to use it as a means to keep possession of the ball is marvelous for a player his age.
The La Masia product opens up space for his teammates with his movements when his team is in possession. Puig doesn’t shy away from indulging in “croquetas” and “sombreros” when opportunity presents itself, and can be a treat for the eyes.
Balanced player
Puig is neither passive as someone like Ivan Rakitic, nor is he as vertical as someone like Andres Iniesta. The 19-year-old brings balance to the midfield and can control the tempo of the game. Deployed as a false-nine at times, Puig has displayed versatility and at the same time competence in every area of the pitch he has covered.
Bar the central defensive midfielder’s role, Puig can play anywhere in this arena and execute his role to perfection. The lucidity of his passes, ability to play short and shift gears to play vertical passes, as well as a gifted dribbling ability, renders Puig a wonder kid to watch out for in the future.
WEAKNESSES
Physicality
Ever since the arrival of Johan Cruyff, Barcelona have focused on nurturing the technically gifted players who can master the basics of the game rather than the towering six-footers who use physicality as their primary attribute. Despite his small frame, Puig has shown that he can skip past defenders via swift movements and body feints.
However, at 56 kilos, the teen is extremely vulnerable to being brushed aside by a Paulinho or a Marouane Fellaini. The youngster can still allow his technical ability to dominate physical players but it would surely help him if he bulks up a bit, allowing him to establish himself as a complete midfielder.
Puig competes for the ball with Sebastian Villa of Boca Juniors in the Joan Gamper Trophy match.
VERDICT
A diamond in the rough, Puig still needs a lot of polishing and Ernesto Valverde will have a key role to play in his development. Barcelona’s midfield is heavily contested by the likes of Arturo Vidal, Denis Suarez and Arthur. The youngster should not be rushed into the first team prematurely.
However, the Barca boss could consider providing the youngster with some exposure in less significant games. To start with, Puig can feature against Tottenham next week in the Champions League, given that the Catalans have already won the group and the 19-year-old has already faced the North London team earlier this year in pre-season.