La Masia: Sergi Rosanas

Mateu Morey has long been seen as the most promising right-back in La Masia, but after losing almost an entire season to an injury, another young Spaniard playing the same position has seen his stock rise remarkably due to some impressive performances in the UEFA Youth League. It’s much easier for young talents to make a name for themselves if they score goals, but Sergi Rosanas has had a few showings this season that help buck that trend.

Sergi Rosanas Moragas was born January 29, 2001 and was raised in Caberera de Mar, Spain. He started with youth clubs on the coast northeast of Barcelona at Cabrera de Mar and Vilassar before getting brought to La Masia at the Benjamín B level. A number of injuries in his preteen years could have sidetracked his career permaturely, but the right-back persevered and with the support of the likes of Carles Alena, Dani Morer and Marc Cucurella, with whom he traveled to and from the academy with in a taxi, he didn’t get discouraged. Another important figure for the talent has been Xavi Franquesa, who first coached Rosanas at Benjamín B and again at Cadet A in 2016-17.

He is a versatile player in every sense, both physically and mentally. Aside from dealing with the adversity of his injuries, his attitude has long stood out and he has often been named a captain on many of the sides he has been a part of. He is capable of leading as a centre-back, but he is much more comfortable at right-back and that is where he should be expected to make it as a professional.

Sometimes it takes a name to make a name and the name attached to Sergi Rosanas so far is Ruud van Nisterlooy. van Nistelrooy, the coach of the PSV U-19s, was impressed by Rosanas and congratulated the player personally after the match. While UEFA promotes the mingling of teams for a quick bite after games, the gesture should not be taken as any less flattering.

While Rosanas Moragas is making his name as a footballer at the club, currently at Juvenil A, it’s not the first time that the name Moragas has appeared at the club. His great-grandfather Emili Moragas was one of the team’s doctors prior to the war and help found the Mutua Esportiva de Catalunya. It must be quite a feeling for Sergi to visit the museum and see a bust of his great-grandfather for his contributions to this legendary club that he now finds himself a part of.

This season, he has been the primary back-up right-back for Barcelona’s UEFA Youth League campaign behind regular captain Guillem Jaime. Rosanas got the start and went the full 90 minutes in that 2-1 win over PSV in September and has since come off the bench in the three of the last four matches. This showing comes off last season’s UEFA Youth League campaign where he got a winner’s medal for making the bench twice and starting against Sporting CP in the group stage. With only eight teams remaining, it should be expected that Jaime will continue as the starter, but don’t be surprised if Denis Silva puts faith in Rosanas either.

The player renewed his contract over the summer for a deal until 2021 with two years of a club option. If the last few seasons are any indication, Rosanas can continue his rise from surprising afterthought to key cog in Barcelona’s youth teams. The Spanish FA is already taking notice of his potential as he has already made appearances for the Spain U-17s and most recently the U-18s in November.