Barcelona: Who is Dro Fernandez? Youngster shines on senior debut and impresses Hansi Flick

German head coach Hansi Flick appears to have discovered another promising talent for Barcelona’s future. The latest name to emerge is Dro Fernandez, a 17-year-old who has already made his first appearance with the senior team and, according to Flick, possesses considerable potential.

During a pre-season friendly against Vissel Kobe, Dro was introduced in the 79th minute, replacing Marcus Rashford. It took him only eight minutes on the pitch to find the back of the net, marking a dream debut and making an immediate impression.

Comfortable both as an attacking midfielder and a left winger, Dro seems a natural fit for Flick’s philosophy, which places significant trust in young players and does not hesitate to rotate or replace more established names — a hallmark of his coaching style since last season.

“I came on a bit nervous, but the first opportunity came and I took it,” Dro said after the match. “It was the first time I played for the best club in the world, so I was very nervous. Speaking with Hansi helped to calm me down, and I have to thank my teammates for their trust.”

Barcelona defeated the Japanese outfit 3-1 in the match held in Japan. Eric Garcia and Roony Bardghji were also on the scoresheet for the Catalan side, while Miyashiro scored for Vissel.

Born in Vigo, Dro joined Barcelona’s academy in 2022. He is currently under contract with the club until June 2027, but his recent performances have already prompted the board to begin talks over a potential extension.

According to Marca, Flick was highly impressed after observing the youngster in action. Dro demonstrated excellent technique, vision, creativity, ball control, and a keen ability to break through defensive lines — qualities that led to his promotion to the senior squad. His skillset has also drawn attention from club directors and technical staff.

“We must look after Dro and the other young players, and help them to keep improving. That’s our role, and we’ll fulfil it,” Flick said in a press conference.

In addition to Dro, Flick has also brought other academy players into the first-team environment, including Jofre, Guille, Toni Fernandez, and Kochen, all of whom were part of the squad for the pre-season tour in Asia.

“I really liked the debuts of Jofre Torrents and Dro, as well as the others,” the German manager added. “I watch them in training and they clearly have quality. Dro scored a goal… I am glad to have them with us.”