Earlier this month, Barcelona confirmed the arrival of Malian teenager Ibrahim Diarra. The 18-year-old will initially play for Barca Atletic, although he has chances of promotion to the first team in the coming years.
Diarra is highly rated across Africa and Mali coach Soumaila Coulibaly is someone who knows the young forward well. According to Sport he gave his opinion.
“He has one of the most classic profiles of a Barcelona footballer I have seen in a long time. Left-footed, powerful, good one-on-one and moves very well between the lines, between the defense, to break the game when the opponent is compact and crouched at the back. A situation that Barcelona often encounters.
“He reminds me of Rivaldo or Lamine Yamal, because they are also left-footed players with similar characteristics. But of course he has to find his way. For me, he is without any doubt the greatest talent in Mali at the moment.”
Barcelona will certainly be excited about the potential Diarra has, even if they don't want to get ahead of themselves.