Barcelona is preparing to escalate a new Arab talent to the first team, as part of the approach to strengthening its ranks with young players adopted by Xavi Hernandez since taking over the reins of technical management.
for the Catalan club.
According to what was published by the Spanish newspaper “Sport”, the replacement for Gerard Pique, Barcelona’s central defender, will be Moroccan in the near future, and that the young Shadi Riad, 19, will be responsible for leading the defense of the Catalan team after a few seasons to come.
The Moroccan names that attract attention within the Barcelona academy are not limited to Abdel Samad Zalzouli and Elias Akhmash. There is a new gem polished within the Catalan club, and it comes to the promising player “Shadi Riad”, Barcelona defender and one of the most important talents of La Masia.
The newspaper said that the Barcelona administration is preparing to extend his contract, which ends next June, and is working on contracting him for two seasons, renewable for two additional seasons.
The 19-year-old Moroccan player, who is the central defender, joined the Catalan club in 2019 from Real Mallorca, and has a contract with the team until next June, and if he does not extend his contract, he will leave the club with a free transfer deal.
Shadi Riad, who occupies the central defense position, plays with the youth team in Barcelona, and, at the beginning of the next season, he will join the Barcelona “B” team.
The 19-year-old is distinguished by his tall stature, high physical fitness, and great calmness in playing, and followers predict him a great future, so Barcelona does not want to waste it.
With the extension of Shadi Riad’s contract, Barcelona B team will include two Moroccan players next season, joining his compatriot Elias Akhumach.
The newspaper indicated that Riyad is expected to participate in the first team next season, not to attract the attention of Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez, given his enormous capabilities.
During last season’s competitions, the young Moroccan was content with playing 7 matches with Barcelona’s reserve in all competitions, and many expect him to be in the defense of the Catalan giant in the near future.
The Moroccan defender has high technical capabilities, especially related to the implementation of fixed balls and the exit of the ball from the back and good positioning in the offensive line, with a strong physique despite his young age.
The Catalan newspaper confirmed that the Moroccan player is highly evaluated by Barcelona’s technical management, and he is called the new “Araújo” due to the similarity between the two in the style of play.
Shadi Riad chose to play for the Moroccan national team in many age groups, as he won with the under-15 team the gold medal in the African Games in Algeria in 2018.