Barcelona's Preseason Tour: Stars Shine While Others Stumble

Barcelona face a significant challenge if they aim to surpass or match the achievements of Hansi Flick's inaugural campaign in 2025–26.

The Catalan giants concluded 2024–25 with three trophies secured, coming tantalizingly close to their first Champions League final since 2015. Flick's exceptional team won over supporters and critics alike, showing no indication of second-season struggles during their Far East expedition this summer.

Barcelona secured three wins in Japan and South Korea against admittedly modest opponents, yet the quality of their displays indicated the La Liga titleholders will mount another strong challenge this campaign.

Flick utilized the three matches to distribute playing time among the majority of traveling squad members, and here are the primary beneficiaries and casualties from their preseason journey.

Winners From Barcelona's Preseason Tour

Gavi

The previous Kopa Trophy recipient suffered a setback from a serious knee injury in November 2023, which impacted his 2024–25 campaign. It became a season focused on gradual recovery, with Flick placing greater trust in the brilliant Pedri, alongside Frenkie de Jong and Marc Casadó, for the majority of minutes in his midfield partnership.

Gavi, who emerged as a deeper midfielder, was deployed in a more attacking position and managed barely 1,000 La Liga minutes. It's reasonable to say he wasn't a key factor in Barcelona's outstanding season.

Nevertheless, the young Spanish midfielder is determined to make a more substantial impact this time, and he was arguably Barça's standout performer in Asia. Gavi was given a starting position in Flick's midfield duo, demonstrating his ability to handle pressure during build-up play, distribute possession effectively in the attacking half, and deliver when it matters most.

The recently-turned 21-year-old appears to have returned to his dynamic and graceful peak form, with a comeback season looking certain in Catalonia if he remains healthy.

La Masia

It's been another outstanding summer for La Masia, with Flick bringing several of Barcelona's youngsters on the tour.

Three Fernández players featured in Asia, with "Dro" creating the biggest impression. The 17-year-old found the net as a substitute against Vissel Kobe, and appeared comfortable when given a starting role in the 5–0 victory over Daegu FC. He's reportedly impressed Flick with his training performances at the beginning of summer, and despite needing physical development, he appears destined to be the next creative talent from La Masia to flourish in Catalonia.

Forward Toni Fernández finished clinically in the Daegu demolition, though he may find himself heading out on loan, while left-back Jofre Torrents seems positioned to support another academy product, Alejandro Balde.

The most talented among them, Lamine Yamal, was simply untouchable during the tour. Spectators watched in amazement whenever the extraordinary right-winger got on the ball.

Roony Bardghji

Barcelona still have tasks to complete if they're to register their new acquisitions for the 2025–26 season, and their tour performances only emphasize the urgency for each to join Flick's squad.

Marcus Rashford was the headline signing, and he netted his debut goal for the club against Daegu on Monday. The loan signing showed promise across his three outings, and immediately appears well-suited to Flick's Barcelona.

Joan García had limited opportunities between the posts, but looked composed apart from one questionable attempt at a cross in Monday's first half victory. He will be Barcelona's first-choice goalkeeper for the opening La Liga weekend, provided they secure his registration.

Less was known about Barça's other new arrival, Bardghji, who joined from FC Copenhagen for a modest fee. The skillful winger was previously identified as a potential future star, but saw his progress interrupted by an ACL injury sustained in April 2024.

Bardghji is therefore still somewhat on his recovery journey, but he left a notable mark in the Far East. His ball control and clever footwork are distinctive qualities, and he scored his first goal for the club in their 3–1 triumph over Vissel Kobe. Currently, he appears capable of providing Yamal with relief on the right flank when required.

Losers From Barcelona's Preseason Tour

Pau Cubarsí

Cubarsí didn't make significant errors during the tour, but he was caught out in the opening match against Vissel Kobe, resulting in the Japanese team's equalizing goal.

Subsequently, the teenage defender was substituted in the final moments of their Daegu victory, though the injury appears minor.

While the Spanish international has demonstrated tremendous potential early in his senior career, proving he possesses the qualities to develop into one of the world's finest, Cubarsí is susceptible to concentration lapses and a motivated Ronald Araújo will be eager to reclaim his spot in Barcelona's defense this season. Andreas Christensen has also returned to fitness.

Ferran Torres

'The Shark' had a highly successful 2024–25 season and he scored twice in Barcelona's 7–3 victory over FC Seoul.

Torres isn't classified as a 'loser' based on his tour displays, but there's no question that competition for his playing time has intensified. Last season, the Spaniard mainly served as Robert Lewandowski's understudy in attack, and there was speculation that Flick viewed Rashford as someone who could operate on the left wing but potentially also function as Barcelona's main striker.

The Englishman has thus far played in the role Raphinha perfected last season, linking up effectively from the left half-space and making runs behind the defense when needed. However, there's certainly potential for Rashford to challenge Torres's squad position if he makes a strong start.

The Spaniard has considerable goodwill from his 2024–25 performances, but he'll need to demonstrate that his effective contributions weren't just a temporary success.

Marc-André ter Stegen

Ter Stegen missed Barça's summer tour due to injury, and the German international appears willing to complicate the club's attempts to register their new signings.

According to reports, Ter Stegen is preventing Barcelona from submitting his medical documentation to La Liga, which would allow the La Liga champions to utilize 80% of his wages to help register their new acquisitions, including potential replacement García. The 33-year-old recently had surgery to address a persistent back problem and will be sidelined for an extended period.

Essentially, Ter Stegen is simply safeguarding his own position, but this situation is already threatening to become complicated. Barcelona are reportedly involving their legal team.