BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 31: Xavi Espart of FC Barcelona looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano de Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on August 31, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pablo Rodriguez/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Luis Mazariegos Luis Mazariegos has been a lead writer and editor for Barca Blaugranes since 2012, bringing tactical analysis, transfer reports, opinion columns, and investigative coverage to the SB Nation network. An award-winning journalist, he has held press credentials for Champions League and La Liga fixtures – reporting live from the stadium, press box, and press conferences. He frequently provides commentary as a guest on football podcasts and radio shows. In addition to his sports media work, Luis spent over a decade in broadcast television and currently serves as an editor for a major digital news network.
Xavi Espart has started FC Barcelona’s first three matches of the season at left-back, but he can play in midfield or on the right as well. His rise in the team at just 19 years of age means Barcelona have to make decisions about who will lose out if he continues starting.
The Catalan club brought back João Cancelo after his loan expired, ostensibly to be the starting left-back as he was last season. Interestingly, both of them can play on either flank. Espart is right-footed, and may play on the left, whereas Cancelo is theoretically more of a left-back, though he’s two-footed. You could just as easily flip the two, depending on your strategy. Eric Garcia has been the starting right-back to this point.
Espart’s ascent played a role in Marc Casadó leaving on loan, and it may result in Alejandro Balde’s exit, too. Meanwhile, his release clause is reportedly set to be raised with a new contract. The message is clear: Espart is here to stay.
Known as a more defensive full-back option, Espart has nonetheless provided two assists in Barcelona’s opening two games. Manager Hansi Flick clearly has a lot of trust in the academy graduate, and there are rumors that he will graduate from Spain’s U19 team to play with the FIFA World Cup champions at some point in the near future.
He joined La Masia when he was around 8 years old and has risen through the ranks. Now that he’s debuted and started three La Liga games, who would bet against him?