Barcelona academy duo react after Champions League debut vs Antwerp: “This is what we dream of”

Barcelona youngster Hector Fort made his first-team debut in what was a rather troubling match for the team against Royal Antwerp.

Regardless, the 17-year-old showed promise, enthusiasm and, above all, the hunger that is essential to wear the Barça shirt.

Fort happy to have made Barcelona debut

The 17-year-old spoke to Barcelona’s official media channels after the game, admitting how happy he is to debut for a team that he loves.

“Firstly, I am very happy to be able to make my debut for the club that I love, I have worked for many years for this,” he said. 

“It’s true that you feel a little anxious because it’s the Champions League, and playing for Barcelona and starting as a first-team player is a challenge. 

“But as time goes by during the match, you start to feel more comfortable and your teammates help you, which makes things easier,” he added.

The 17-year-old also said that it is important for him to have fun on the pitch. He has been at Barcelona for 11 years now and just like Marc Guiu, each player from the youth team is encouraged to give their all. 

“I have to have fun and play with the role that I have. My teammates will help me, I have to do what I always used to do and that’s it. I have to have fun. 

“I’ve been here for 11 years and to finally get to where I am now is a dream for any kid in La Masia. I encourage the young ones to keep working like Marc (Guiu) and I did,” he said.

Marc Guiu is already looking ahead

Guiu, 17, happens to be a player who has had very limited minutes this season and has yet scored two goals – both coming on his La Liga and Champions League debuts.

The 17-year-old forward has navigated through various destinations, shifting between Barça Atletic, the youth team, the first team, and even at the U17 World Cup for Spain. Despite this, he has said that he is already looking forward to the Valencia game on Saturday.

“Now I have to think about the Valencia match,” he said.

The young forward added that although he is happy to play for the club whenever called upon, he is quite disappointed with the result of the match.

“Things were good. I was a little disappointed with the result, but I was happy to score the goal and help the team. It was about working hard in this match, and it was an important match as well. 

“In the end, we did not play a great match, but I think we worked hard and that was important. I’m very grateful to Xavi and I’m making the most of every moment,” he added.

While speaking about the goal he scored, he said, “This is what we dream of since childhood. We spent years at the club and take advantage of the moments. I thank Xavi for the opportunity. 

“The goal? I saw that Gundogan had come in, a perfect cross, and I went with everything I had to finish the ball and score.”