Who is Marc Guiu, Barcelona’s latest academy star who scored against Athletic Club?

22 October 2023 is already a date that will go down in Barcelona history. Youngster Marc Guiu, just 17 years and 291 days old, scored the fastest goal by a debutant in the club’s long illustrious history. After coming on as a 79th-minute substitute against Athletic Club at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, the forward took just 33 seconds to find the net, securing three crucial points for Xavi Hernández’s side in his first involvement in the game.

Although Guiu had featured for the first team in a friendly against Vissel Kobe in June, a tribute match for Barça legend Andrés Iniesta, Sunday was his first competitive outing. It certainly won’t be his last.

What type of player is Marc Guiu?

Guiu might not be described as your “typical” Barcelona striker. At 1.85 metres (around 6′1″), he is powerful in the air, although he is also quick across the ground and has been described as a cool finisher.

Speaking to Catalan media outlet Sport, one of his former Barça coaches, Iván Carrasco, had the following to say about the young striker:

“He is a pure centre forward, a classic ‘9′, a penalty-box specialist whose physical power is key to how he plays. His best attribute is his aerial play. Marc is also very quick and powerful, he is unstoppable when he has space to work in.

“He is not a striker who can drift out to the flanks or stands out for his link-up play, but he is aware of his strengths and limitations and knows how to focus on his strengths and hide his flaws.”

Sporting director Deco a huge fan of Barça teenager

Born in the inland Catalan city of Granollers, 30 kilomteres (19 miles) north-east of Barcelona, he was raised in the nearby town of Sant Celoni. La Blaugrana have been known over the years for bringing through a whole host of youngsters who have gone on to become world-class and the hopes are high for Guiu; sporting director Deco has been keeping a close eye on the teenager since before he returned to the club in his current role.

Guiu rated as one of the world’s best for his age

Prior to first-team debut, the striker had spent the majority of he early weeks of the season playing for Barça’s Juvenil team (for 16 to 18-year-olds), for whom he has scored five times so far. Guiu has only ever had eight minutes of game time with reserve team Barcelona Atlètic, coached by former Mexico international Rafa Márquez, in the Spanish third tier.

Earlier this month, the teenager was named by British newspaper The Guardian as one of the best players in the world born in 2006, following on from his superb performances in the UEFA Under-17 European Championship in Hungary last May. Along with club teammate Lamine Yamal, Guiu was the tournament’s joint-top scorer with four goals and has scored eight times in 12 appearances for his country at that level.