From Teshie to Barça: Ghana’s Abdul Hafiz Gariba takes major step towards Barcelona first team

Ghanaian youngster Abdul Hafiz Gariba has moved a step closer to fulfilling his childhood dream after being selected to join FC Barcelona’s senior squad for its pre-season preparations ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

The former Zinaps FC defender, who grew up in Teshie/Nungua, has been one of the standout performers in Barcelona’s famed La Masia academy and is widely regarded as one of Ghana’s brightest emerging football talents.

Gariba is among a select group of academy players invited to train with the club’s first team during this pre-season, a significant milestone for any young footballer hoping to break into one of the world’s biggest clubs.

The teenager has already completed the mandatory medical examinations required before the start of pre-season and has now begun training alongside Barcelona’s senior players, bringing him closer than ever to making his first-team breakthrough.

For Gariba, the opportunity marks the latest chapter in a remarkable journey that began on the football pitches of Teshie/Nungua before progressing through Zinaps FC and eventually earning a place at Barcelona’s prestigious academy.

Representing Barcelona at the iconic Camp Nou has long been a dream for the young defender, and his inclusion in the first-team pre-season camp suggests that ambition is edging closer to becoming reality.

Although a place in Barcelona’s first-team squad for the new season is yet to be confirmed, Gariba’s invitation is seen as a strong vote of confidence from the club’s coaching staff and another indication of his rapid development.

His progress is also a source of pride for Ghanaian football, with many hoping he will become the next player from the country to make a lasting impact at the highest level of European football.

Jamaldeen Wiayuka

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