14-year-old midfielder Enzo Pérez returns to Barcelona after a season with Girona. Enzo Pérez, a key player for Girona’s U-14 team, has declined offers from Real Madrid and Manchester City. The young midfielder has decided to return to Barcelona, where his brother already plays.
A fierce competition has erupted in Catalan youth football over one of the most promising players of his age. Fourteen-year-old midfielder Enzo Pérez, who had an outstanding season with Girona's Sub-14 team, has decided to return to Barcelona, despite interest from leading clubs in Spain and England.
Under Pau Comadira, the team won the league championship and reached the final of the Catalonia championship. Enzo Pérez played a key role: he not only orchestrated the team's play, but also scored 11 goals, including two in the crucial match against L'Hospitalet. His versatility allowed him to perform both as a '6' and an '8', and his confidence on set pieces set him apart from his peers.
Enzo Pérez attracted interest from Real Madrid, Atlético de Madrid, Villarreal, and Manchester City. The English club even considered a scenario where the player would continue his development at Girona, and then, upon turning 18, move to Manchester City. However, according to SPORT, only two options remained a priority for the player and his family: returning to Barcelona or continuing his career at Girona.
The decisive factor was Barcelona's renewed and active interest. Club officials Sergi Milà, Andrés Manzano, and Alexanko convinced Enzo Pérez to return to the academy, where he had previously played from 2020 to 2023. After three seasons at La Masia, the club had decided not to extend his contract, and Enzo moved to Gimnàstic de Manresa and then to Girona, where in two years he became a leader and helped his team surpass Barcelona and Espanyol in the race for titles.
An important detail is that next season Enzo will play for Barcelona’s U15 team, while his brother Luca will join Juvenil B. For the first time, the Pérez Carrasco family will have the chance to see both sons playing for the same club. As SPORT notes, Enzo has always stood out not only for his physical strength and technique, but also for his ability to read the game, a trait especially valued in the La Masia system.
The situation around Enzo Pérez recalls recent stories involving the transfers of young talents between leading Spanish clubs. Attention to young players is increasing, and the competition for them is becoming ever fiercer. Similar examples can be found in other sports as well: for instance, Spanish tennis player Rafa Jódar recently made his debut on the main court at Roland Garros, which was also a notable event for youth sports (details about Jódar’s debut on the main court).
Context: La Masia is regarded as one of the world’s top football academies, and Enzo Pérez’s return to Barcelona’s system highlights the club’s appeal for young players. In recent years, the competition for youth talents among Spanish and European football giants has intensified, impacting the development strategies of youth teams and shaping the future stars of national football.
