USA youth star could debut with Barcelona in Champions League match

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Konrad de la Fuente, who last year represented the US in the U20 World Cup, has been given a shirt number for the Napoli clash

Miami-born Konrad de la Fuente has been given the #45 shirt as he trains with FC Barcelona’s first team in preparation for the Catalans meeting with Napoli in the UEFA Champions League game.

Born to Haitian parents, Konrad moved to Barcelona at a young age as his father took a job in the Haitian embassy to Spain. He has been at La Masia for about 7 years now, and has recently starred in the B team’s run in the promotion playoffs.

Konrad has represented the United States at youth levels, including at the 2019 U-20 FIFA World Cup in Poland.

It’s not confirmed yet whether Konrad will take any part in the match against Napoli, but his chances are higher than normal because of Barcelona’s unusually short squad.

With injuries affecting Samuel Umtiti and Ousmane Dembélé, plus the suspensions of Sergio Busquets and Arturo Vidal, and with Arthur essentially quitting the team, and with Martin Braithwaite ineligible for the Champions League... there are a lot of opportunities for B teamers right now.

Ansu Fati, Riqui Puig, and Ronald Araújo have already taken their chance and are considered to be integrated into the first team picture. Meanwhile, Konrad is joined by several B teamers looking to make their debut - Monchu, Ludovit Reis, Óscar Mingueza, and Jandro Orellana - who are all training with the senior team right now.

Source: barcablaugranes.com