Barcelona officially partners with Africa’s top youth academy
FC Barcelona has taken another major step towards expanding its scouting network in Africa by officially signing a cooperation agreement with the famous Mali-based Academy Africa Foot.
According to Sport, a Barça delegation including Sergi Barjuan and Bernat Villa traveled to Mali to oversee the formal signing.
The event was also attended by Moussa Kone, Barcelona’s head of scouting for Africa, and Antonio Guillén Hidalgo, Spain’s ambassador to Mali.
The partnership gives Barcelona priority rights over top academy talent, which could be a major boost to the club’s efforts to discover more talent on the continent.
Barcelona’s reconnaissance mission in Africa
The collaboration is part of Barcelona’s broader efforts to strengthen reconnaissance missions across Africa. In recent years, the club has stepped up its scouting efforts on the continent, keeping an eye on a variety of talents.
The partnership with Academy Africa Foot is already bearing fruit, with one of their outstanding players, Ibrahim Diarra, attracting the attention of Barcelona.
Diarra tried out for Barcelona and impressed coaches with his agility, speed and attacking versatility. His performance at the U-17 World Cup, with five goals and three assists, further cemented his potential as one of the continent’s top prospects.
Diarra continues to attract Barcelona's attentionDiarra had to return to Mali due to visa issues, but Barcelona are keen to secure Diarra, who turns 18 in December.
At 1.80 meters tall, Diarra combines a physical presence with a strong long-range shot, making him an exciting player for Barça’s future.
The collaboration with Academy Africa Foot is an important move in the short and medium term for Barcelona as they aim to continue building a pipeline of African talent for years to come.
