Barcelona's Game-Changing Bench: Rating the Deadliest Attacking Weapons Ready to Strike in 2025-26
With the 2025–26 campaign approaching on the horizon, Hansi Flick is preparing his Barcelona squad for the commencement of his eagerly awaited second season at the helm.
The initial training sessions of the summer have witnessed numerous familiar faces making their return, alongside some new arrivals who will embark on their Barcelona journey. What stands out from the early glimpses of these practice sessions is the remarkable offensive depth heading into the new season.
This shouldn't surprise anyone, as Barcelona netted 174 goals in all competitions during 2024–25, marking the third-highest tally in the club's history. Flick's offensive unit became Europe's most lethal, leading to the club's inaugural domestic treble. However, Barcelona seeks even greater achievements in 2025–26 and, with several reinforcements already secured, the Blaugrana scoring machine could reach new heights of productivity.
In Flick's preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, Raphinha and Lamine Yamal occupy the flanks. Dani Olmo—when fit—controls the No. 10 position, positioned behind the ageless Robert Lewandowski, who spearheads the attack.
These four individuals are the designated starters for the upcoming season, though Barcelona possess numerous other options capable of making significant impacts from the substitutes' bench.
Here's Sports Illustrated's assessment of Barcelona's finest attacking alternatives poised to begin the 2025–26 season in backup roles.
5. Roony Bardghji
Barcelona's initial attacking signing of the summer was 19-year-old Swedish prospect Roony Bardghji. While the former FC Copenhagen player is considered a future investment, he'll have opportunities to demonstrate his worthiness to remain with the senior squad during pre-season.
Bardghji represents an unpolished talent, but possesses all the attributes necessary to develop into an elite right-sided attacker. Being naturally left-footed, he consistently threatens to cut inward and unleash powerful strikes from range, while also proving highly effective with his weaker right foot.
Even more remarkable are Bardghji's ball-handling abilities. He's a technical virtuoso who relishes taking on opponents. Though lacking in height and physical strength, he understands how to leverage his physique advantageously. While not possessing blazing speed, his explosive acceleration proves highly effective.
Should Bardghji sufficiently impress Flick during pre-season and demonstrate complete recovery from his lengthy injury layoff, a loan arrangement for the coming campaign might be abandoned, and Barça could discover the solution to preventing Yamal's overuse.
4. Gavi
Gavi's rehabilitation from a November 2023 ACL injury prevented his participation in Flick's inaugural pre-season with Barcelona. Now fully recovered, he'll be determined to establish himself as a more influential presence at the start of the new campaign.
Flick's deployment of Gavi last season proved intriguing. Before his injury, Gavi typically operated in deeper positions, helping initiate play from midfield's foundation. Throughout 2024–25, Flick predominantly utilized him as an offensive midfielder in the No. 10 position instead.
The relentless, high-energy presser aligns perfectly with Flick's dynamic approach that encourages Barcelona to regain possession as high up the field as possible. However, overshadowed by his tireless defensive contributions is Gavi's undeniable technical ability.
As a genuine La Masia product, Gavi possesses exceptional technical skills. His initial touch is virtually perfect, he commands every conceivable pass and his field awareness is underappreciated. Gavi acknowledged that adapting to a more advanced position required adjustment, but glimpses of his potential under Flick were evident.
With a complete pre-season to further develop his attacking game and nearly two years past his devastating injury, 2025–26 could mark Gavi's return to the form that earned him the 2022 Kopa Trophy. Only now, evolving into a genuine attacking threat.
3. Ferran Torres
Did any other 20-goal campaign in 2024–25 receive as little recognition as Ferran Torres's?
The former Manchester City player served as Flick's primary substitute throughout most of last season. However, when injuries began affecting Lewandowski's availability, Torres stepped into the starting lineup and Barcelona maintained their momentum—arguably, the attack appeared even more fluid.
Torres burst onto the scene playing predominantly on the wings. Under Flick's guidance, he transformed into a versatile No. 9 that provides Barcelona's attack with greater flexibility. Torres can retreat into midfield or drift wide, exchanging positions with other Barça forwards, disrupting and bewildering opposing defenses through dangerous movements into space from various angles and depths.
Despite starting merely 12 La Liga matches, "Shark" concluded the league campaign with 16 goal contributions. His 10 La Liga strikes exceeded those of prominent players like Antoine Griezmann, Nico Williams, Rodrygo and even teammate Yamal.
With 14 goals across all competitions since January alone, Torres appears more than capable of building upon his recent achievements. Simply stated, he represents a reliable source of goals from the bench that few teams across the continent possess.
2. Marcus Rashford
While he may not have been Barcelona's primary target to strengthen Flick's attack, regardless of what president Joan Laporta now publicly states, Marcus Rashford possesses the qualities to become an impact player for his new club.
Barcelona's intensive pursuit of a new left winger has concluded and Rashford will don the Blaugrana colors in 2025–26. Though not currently considered a starter, the England international has previously demonstrated elite playmaking ability—30 goals for Manchester United in 2022–23 speaks volumes.
Rashford brings a fresh dimension to Barcelona's offensive approach. A talented athlete who excels when running into open areas. Within a squad filled with midfield technicians known for short and medium-range passes that draw out defenders, Rashford can capitalize on spaces left behind defensive lines. It's easy to imagine Pedri's perfectly weighted through ball finding Rashford's run.
The former Manchester United star also creates fascinating tactical possibilities for Flick. Barcelona could deploy Rashford on the left with Raphinha operating centrally—a position he frequently occupied last season. Lewandowski would remain the focal point, but alternatively, this arrangement could permit Dani Olmo to function as a false nine, where he arguably performed at his peak during his debut Barcelona season.
Rashford's reputation has reached its lowest point. Nevertheless, it's important to recall that two summers ago, he concluded a 2022–23 season where he was considered among the Premier League's top performers.
If Flick can restore Rashford's optimal form, he could contribute significantly to Barcelona's trophy ambitions in 2025–26.
1. Fermin Lopez
Fermín López continues his upward trajectory, developing into an elite contemporary No. 10. The 22-year-old experienced his breakthrough in 2023–24 under Xavi Hernández and appears to enhance his performance with each outing.
Fermín represents a transformative playmaker in the final third. An exceptionally intelligent player who possesses an instinct for discovering pockets of space between defenders in crowded areas to receive possession and subsequently locate open teammates through his outstanding vision and accurate distribution. Alternatively, he can complete the move personally thanks to his superb finishing ability with both feet.
Another authentic La Masia-developed midfielder, Fermín demonstrates technical proficiency beyond his years and his exceptional game comprehension is apparent. He flourishes in confined spaces and consistently makes optimal decisions.
When stakes are highest, Fermín typically delivers his finest performances. He scored in his debut Clásico during a 2023 pre-season match. Later that campaign, he would net against Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabéu. During the 2024 Olympics, he emerged as the tournament's standout performer and his six goals and six assists propelled Spain to gold medal glory.
The significance of Fermín's continued development increases when considering the player ahead of him in the pecking order. Dani Olmo has missed over 15 matches through injury in each of the previous three seasons. Until Olmo demonstrates sustained fitness over extended periods, Barcelona benefits greatly from having such a high-quality understudy in Fermín.
Discussion regarding a potential Fermín departure has virtually disappeared. Now, entering his third Barcelona season, he appears destined to challenge for a starting position in Flick's formation sooner rather than later.