The right-wing Adrián Sola made history this Sunday, becoming the second-youngest player to debut in an official match for Barça’s handball team. At just 16 years, 10 months, and 22 days old, the left-handed player took to the court with the first team in their encounter against Frigoríficos del Morrazo Cangas in O Gatañal, as part of the 20th round of the Liga Plenitude Asobal. This momentous occasion marked a significant milestone in Sola’s young career, one that has been steadily gaining momentum since his arrival at Barça in the summer of 2023 from Anaitasuna, where he had previously made the jump from BM Cantolagua.
Prior to this debut, Sola had been called up to the team on three occasions, although he hadn’t seen more than two minutes of action in any of those instances. His limited playing time included appearances in the Champions League against Aalborg and Pick Szeged, as well as a Liga Asobal match against Torrelavega at the Palau Blaugrana. As a first-year junior, Sola’s integration into the team has been a subject of interest, and his debut was eagerly anticipated by fans and pundits alike.
Sola’s achievement is all the more impressive when considering the record books. His debut puts him just behind Xavi Castro, who also made his debut against Cangas, albeit at the Palau Blaugrana, on October 2, 2012, at the tender age of 16 years and 22 days. Djordje Cikusa ranks as the third-youngest debutant in Barça’s history, having played against Guadalajara on November 12, 2022, at 16 years, 11 months, and 4 days old. These precocious talents have set a high bar for young players looking to break into the team.
The match on Sunday also marked another significant milestone, as goalkeeper Pol Quiroga made his Liga Asobal debut at 19 years old. Quiroga, who joined Barça from UE Sarrià as a first-year cadet, had previously played in the Supercopa de Cataluña in August. His first save with the team was a memorable one, as he successfully defended a seven-meter penalty shot. With these debuts, Barça’s handball team continues to showcase its commitment to nurturing young talent and providing opportunities for players to shine on the biggest stage. As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see how Sola and Quiroga develop and contribute to the team’s success.
