A 13-year-old boy is knocking on the door of Barça's first team.

BarcelonaMohamed Dabone will turn 14 on October 21, but Barça has already started the process with the CSD (Spanish National Sports Council) to allow him to play with the first team, which yesterday debuted in the Catalan National League ACB in Tarragona with a victory against MoraBanc Andorra (81-89).

"He's a boyfriend who's helping us, who has a lot of excitement, because at his age it's something different, but we have to stay calm. He's not even starting his career yet. He still has a lot to go and is very green. He has a good attitude and it's clear he's a different player. Don't expect Dabone to have to solve his natural problems and we'll see how he develops. He's a player who's doing very well, but he's very young," says Joan Peñarroya, who also values the work of Sayon Keita and Nikola Kusturica. The young Serbian became the youngest player in history to make his official debut with Barça's first team yesterday (16 years, 4 months, and 17 days). He surpassed Èric Vila's record.

Josep Cubells, the director in charge of the basketball team, confirmed that Dabone will be part of the first team this season. The player from Burkina Faso, who is in his third year at La Masia, has become the great hope for the future of a Barça team that is trying to protect him as much as possible. The Blaugrana club is aware of his decisive impact and sees him ready to debut with the first team, but wants to distance him from the expectations he generates. The goal is for him to become the best player possible in a few years.

Dabone, who has completed preseason training with the first team, is ready to break a handful of records for early performance, but Barça faces a season with competitive urgency. "We've had two blank years and we need to win titles. We're already starting with the Catalan League, but we want to reach every final. This is a clear goal. We know there's a lot of pressure on us," acknowledges Joan Carles Navarro, the section's general manager.

Dabone, who was left out of the squad yesterday, made his debut for Barça in a friendly match last week, in which the Blaugrana team played against Bàsquet Girona in Platja d'Aro (77-88). If he debuts in the Liga Endesa before May, he will surpass the record for the earliest player in the competition. The current record is held by Bassala Bagayoko, who debuted at 14 years and 7 months.

"He's the best player in the world at his age," say experts. Some scouts of the NBA went to see him in the final of the Barça children's Minicopa Endesa, where for the second consecutive year he was decisive. Pau Gasol, Mario Hezonja and Leandro Bolmaro are the former Barça players who in their day were chosen in a higher position of the draft of the NBA, and the expectation that Dabone generates is similar to that aroused by Victor Wembanyama, who currently plays for the San Antonio Spurs.

Barça announced its five signings for the 2025-26 season on Tuesday: Myles Cale, Juani Marcos, Toko Shengelia, Will Clyburn, and Miles Norris. "We've made an even stronger commitment so that the team, with a larger roster, can compete strongly in all competitions. I think we've taken a step forward. We're in a very special year. We'll celebrate the centenary of Barça basketball," said Cubells.

Baxi Manresa triumphs

Baxi Manresa defeated Hiopos Lleida yesterday in the other Catalan League match (90-95). The competition continues today with Balcesto Girona vs. Hiopos Lleida and Joventut vs. MoraBanc Andorra.