Marc Guiu created a sensation in La Liga by scoring the quickest debut goal in Barcelona’s history. The 17-year-old scored a stunning goal against Athletic Bilbao and made Barca win with an aggregate of 1-0. With this win the club has ranked third in La Liga’s table and setting the stage for the most awaited El Clasico against Real Madrid.
Due to the injury of prime players like Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, and Frankie de Jong, Brarca manager Xavi Hernandez was looking for a possible option against Athletic Bilbao.
Finally, Xavi chose Marc Guiu from the club’s famous La Masia football academy. Barca’s manager himself was a product of the academy before he turned into one of the greatest football for Barca and Spain’s national team.
Who is Marc Guiu?
Marc Guiu was born on 4 January 2006 in Catalonia, Barcelona, and is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Barcelona Atletic. Now, he made his debut in Barcelona’s senior team against Athletic Bilbao. Guiu started his football journey with Penya Barcelonista Sant Celoni, later he joined Barcelona academy La Masia in the 2013-14 season.
Eventually, Guiu was substituted in 79th-minutes and scored a magical goal in just 23 seconds with the second touch. And Barcelona won by 1-0 over Atheltic Bilabo. At 17 years and 291 days of age, he became the youngest and fastest debutant to score for the club. After the match victory, Guiu expressed his excitement and happiness for his performance with the club.
“I can’t believe it, I’m out of breath. I’m enjoying the moment. I’ve been working my whole life this opportunity and it turned out perfect,” Guiu said.
With his charismatic performance in his debut match, he has shown his talent and potential on the global stage and also proved right to manager Xaxi. Without a doubt, the young boy is going to have a great career and Barca found new gold.
Marc Guiu’s career stats so far
As discussed above, the striker joined the Barca academy, La Masia in 2013 at the age of seven. After completing his graduation from La Masia, Guiu was selected for the Barcelona B team. He debuted for a ten-minute game against Nastic Tarragona.
At the international level, Guiu performed magically and guided his team to many important victories. In 2023, he scored 8 goals in 12 appearances playing for the Spain Under17 team. During the 2023 Under-17 Euros, the striker was Spain’s joint-top scorer semi-finals.
In June 2023, Guiu was called up to the senior squad for the first time ahead of a pre-season match against Celta de Vigo, but can’t feature in the match. Again, on 11 October 2023, he was called for the senior team for a La Liga battle against Granada, but again he didn’t play the game.
Guiu was an unused substitute as Barca lost 2-1 on the final day of the 2022/23 season. Finally, in October he was brought up on the ground as a substitute and the young man showed his young in just two touches and scored the first goal for Barcelona.
Marc Guiu’s style of play
In football, the style of play of a player is described by many experts. Some of them criticize or appreciate the style of play, the same is happening with Marc Guiu as well. After his sensational debut goal for Barcelona. Various former footballers, football experts, and media have started giving their opinions on Guis’s style of play.
But, if there is anyone who could describe the style of play of the striker accurately is his former coach Ivan Carrasco at La Masia. He said: “Guiu is a specialist in the area, not the typical Barcelona player.
He doesn’t stand out for his combination play but in the area, he has brutal heading ability and he has a power and speed on the run that make him very dangerous when there is space. He has a fighting spirit, he never gives a ball up for loss and when it comes to pressing he is an animal.”
Marc Guiu’s strengths
The striker already has a great physique with a height of 6’2” which is much better than any 17-year-old player. Guiu also has great muscle density and pace. Having such excellent overall fitness is a great bonus for the striker, it will help him beat the defenders, run faster, and shoot with great speed.
The young man also has a great finishing touch which was seen during all the games he played. So, we can expect him to score more goals with these natural strengths of him.
Marc Guiu’s weaknesses
As said by the first coach “he’s not a typical Barcelona player” which many take as slang or some may take it as criticism of Bara. Many players are products of La Masia Academy, so maybe in that context, Guiu’s coach had commented. Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi Hernandez are trained at La Masia Academy.
Guiu may not be a regular striker at Barcelona, but he has strength, pace, skills, and potential which make him one of the most promising strikers at Barca. Also, the club will have to provide him with enough space and playing time so that it could be beneficial for the club as well as for himself.
What experts said about Marc Guiu
Marc Guiu receives appreciation from various people and sources. Other than his former Barca coach Ivan Carrasco, the young man was named “one of the best players born in 2006” by The Guardian.
Sporting director Deco is a huge fan of Barca teenagers. The director has been following the striker since before he returned to the club in his current role.
Youngest debutant in La Liga history
At the age of 15 years and 255 days, Luka Romero is still the youngest debutant in La Liga history. Romero was born in Mexico but has nationalism of Argentina. On June 24, 2020, he scored with Barcelona’s biggest rival Real Madrid during their 2-0 win over his Mallorca team.
On 6 July 2023, Romero signed for AC Milan on a free transfer. The deal between the Argentine and the club is valid until 30 June 2027.
