Hansi Flick has found the ideal replacement for Raphinha, who is sidelined for up to five weeks with a hamstring injury.
With Raphinha sidelined, the club is once again looking to the academy rather than the transfer market, and a 17‑year‑old winger has been fast‑tracked into first‑team training.
The move signals that Hansi Flick sees genuine potential in the teenager and is preparing contingency options from within.
The player is Toni Fernández, the highly rated La Masia winger who has been called up to train with Barcelona’s senior squad, as reported by Mundo Deportivo.
Fernández, 17, has already attracted attention for his technical quality, intelligent movement, and ability to cut inside from the right, making him a natural fit for Barcelona’s attacking style.
His regular inclusion in first‑team sessions suggests that the club believes he is close to being ready for more serious exposure, even if he is still at the beginning of his development.
Flick’s strategy since arriving at Camp Nou has been to keep the La Masia pathway open and reward young players who show maturity and composure.
That policy has already elevated several academy graduates into the wider first‑team environment, and Fernández now joins that group.
For Barcelona, the benefits are twofold: he can provide short‑term depth during injury crises, while also gaining invaluable experience alongside the club’s established stars.
There is no indication yet that Fernández is set for an immediate competitive debut, but the call‑up itself is a clear marker of intent.
Training daily with the senior group allows him to adapt to the pace and intensity of top‑flight football and gives Flick a closer look at how ready he really is.
For now, Barcelona may have found a homegrown Raphinha replacement option in Toni Fernández.
He is still a prospect, but this opportunity could be the first step toward a proper first‑team role at the club.
