Barcelona injury crisis could open the door for La Masia prodigy’s debut against Sevilla

Barcelona’s commitment to youth continues to be one of the defining themes of the Hansi Flick era, and another La Masia talent could soon be given the chance to shine for the first team.

The Catalan giants have already seen several academy players step into the senior squad over the past year, and the next debut may not be far away.

According to a report from SPORT , youth team defender Alvaro Cortes is now in line to potentially make his first-team appearance in the coming days.

The young centre-back has already been involved with the senior squad recently, having been included in matchday squads against Athletic Club and Newcastle United.

His opportunity could arrive sooner than expected due to the defensive problems currently affecting Barcelona .

Injuries have hit the back line at a crucial stage of the season, leaving manager Hansi Flick with limited options in defence.

The situation worsened after injuries to Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde, while Andreas Christensen has also been unavailable.

With several key defenders sidelined, Flick may be forced to look towards La Masia once again to fill the gaps in the squad.

This is where Cortes could step in. The young defender is considered one of the most promising prospects in the academy.

Alvaro Cortes could make his senior team debut. (Picture credit: Instagram/@alvaarocortes)

Physically strong, left-footed, and comfortable on the ball, he fits the profile of the modern Barcelona centre-back.

If he does make his debut soon, he would become yet another La Masia product trusted by Flick since the German coach took charge.

In fact, nine academy players have already made their official first-team debuts during his tenure.

Just recently, another dream came true when Xavi Espart made his senior debut against Newcastle United.

Now, attention is turning to Cortes.

With Barcelona preparing to face Sevilla, the timing may finally be right for the young defender. The defensive injuries mean Flick could once again turn to the academy to provide solutions.

Cortes has already been training with the senior squad and showing signs that he is ready for the next step.

Whether Flick decides to give him minutes or not remains to be seen, but the opportunity is clearly there.