Juliano Belletti impressed by Barcelona’s latest wonderkid Ebrima Tunkara

Barcelona Atletic coach Juliano Belletti has lavished praise on 15-year-old midfielder Ebrima Tunkara after the teenager’s first start for the reserve side, a 2-0 victory over Valencia on Saturday. Two goals from Joaquin Delgado sealed the win, but it was Tunkara’s composure and fearlessness that dominated post-match conversation.

The Gambian-born prodigy signed a new deal with the club this winter and was thrust into the starting lineup just days after making his debut for Belletti’s injury-hit squad. The Brazilian tactician highlighted the youngster’s immediate impact.

“Ebrima is a youth player and he wanted the ball, he looked for one-on-one opportunities, he helped in defense,” Belletti told club media. “Campos played very well again. Pedro Villar created chances through the middle and helped both offensively and defensively, Shane Kluivert and Fofana in the second half... The club is on the right track with this approach and they accept their responsibility. And the older players are taking on their leadership roles.”

Belletti stressed that the result should not obscure the broader process, noting that the team has “always played well even if it hasn’t always gotten results,” and urged his squad to maintain belief regardless of outcomes. “We mustn’t lose confidence even if we don’t win; we have to keep competing and have the mindset to improve. This victory gives us confidence, and we mustn’t let our level drop.”

With a mounting injury list forcing rotation, Tunkara is expected to receive further opportunities as the campaign progresses, continuing a rapid rise that has already marked him as the latest La Masia graduate tipped for a long-term future at the top level.