While global attention remains fixed on the FIFA World Cup, the UEFA Under-19 European Championship continues to showcase high-quality football. Spain has reached the tournament final with a dominant run, maintaining command at every stage of the competition.

Spain enters the final later today as the favorite to claim the title. A key member of the squad is Barcelona talent Xavi Espart, who has played a pioneering role as a starter throughout the event.

Espart’s detailed interview

Barcelona starlet Xavi Espart spoke to MARCA in a recent interview ahead of today’s final. He reflected on his 2026 campaign and his professional growth.

“It was almost a dream. Being able to make my debut with Barcelona and play a few minutes was my dream since I joined. All the experiences I lived through there, and everything I learned.”

“Training daily with those players makes you better. And I hope to end the season with a European title, that’s the goal now,” he added.

Reflecting on his debut against Newcastle United, Espart described the rapid pace of the experience.

“Everything happened so fast. In fifteen or twenty seconds, I went from warming up to coming on, and I barely had time to even process it.

“And on top of that, it was the Champions League, at Newcastle’s stadium, with adrenaline levels so high that you don’t even have time to think.”

“It was seven or eight minutes where I felt like I was moving a thousand kilometers an hour. It was a dream, and I couldn’t believe it. I was the happiest person in the world in that moment,” he added.

When he returned to the dressing room, his first priority was reaching out to his family.

“My parents. They were watching the match, but they couldn’t be there. I didn’t even have time to grab my phone because I had a press conference, but as soon as I did, I called them.”

“They were so shocked. My parents have been my biggest support, and a lot of the credit goes to them.”

On his journey in La Masia

Espart admitted that reaching the first team while training at La Masia often felt like an unreachable goal.

“Actually, no. I had the dream, but I saw it as so far away. I joined Barcelona at eight years old, and I saw the first team as something impossible to reach.”

“I’d go to Camp Nou with my dad to watch Barcelona, and the debut was a dream, but you don’t fully believe it until you’re there. That was always the goal, and when it became reality, it was unbelievable,” he added.

Playing alongside peers like Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Cubarsi has helped the youngster adapt quickly to senior football.

“That made my integration into the first team so much easier. Having young players like Pau or Bernal makes you feel like a bigger part of the group because they help you.”

“At first, entering a locker room like that is complicated, but having those teammates, and everyone in general, since most of them are young and went through the same experience. I’ll always be grateful to them.”

Regarding his former academy teammates, he noted: “Sharing so many years in the youth categories, then seeing us there together enjoying these moments – it’s unbelievable.”

“They deserve it too; they’ve put in a long time. And being able to share this with them was an amazing experience.”

On his bond with Hansi Flick

Espart addressed manager Hansi Flick’s comparison of him to legendary defender Phillip Lahm, noting that he remains versatile between midfield and full-back.

“I’m grateful for that comparison because Lahm is a legend, and I see it as a compliment. At Barcelona, I made my debut as a full-back, and here I’m playing midfielder, which is the position I played up to the youth ranks.”

“I feel very comfortable in both positions, and I think that can be one of my strengths. Wherever they put me, I’ll give 100%,” he added.

“Hansi will decide what to do. The important thing now is Saturday. We’ve fought so hard to be here, and I’m fully focused on the final.”

On the upcoming final

The 19-year-old emphasized that the team maintains a humble approach despite their strong tournament record.

“With excitement, in fact, because we’ve been here in camp for a long time. We’ve been waiting for this moment, so we’re not lacking in enthusiasm.”

Regarding the opponent in the final, he added: “Honestly, I don’t care. We’ve proven that we’re capable of competing and that we trust in ourselves, and that’s what’s important.”

“The opponent is the least important thing; if we’re focused and at our level, it doesn’t matter who’s standing in front of us.”

“Putting the label of favourite on yourself is never a good thing. We come to these matches with a lot of humility, and we work as a team, and obviously we’re going to go for the win and give 100%.”

“That’s our thing. We prefer to keep going match by match. The Germany we’ll face tomorrow isn’t the same one we faced in the group stage. We’re ready and we’re going for everything.”

Espart highlighted the strong camaraderie within the squad, which also features former Barcelona teammate Quim Junyent.

“Quim and I have shared the team and the relationship our whole lives. We came to Barcelona when we were little, and that shows on and off the field. It’s an addition we can bring.”

“But it’s not just about Quim; in a few days, we’ve managed to achieve harmony among everyone, and that’s the most important thing.”

“We have a very good dynamic, and on Saturday we’ll go in the same way, and we won’t lower our level at all.”

“Facing an opponent like Germany, if we’re not at 100%, it’ll be tough for us. It’ll be a good match, and if we’re focused, everything will go fine.”

“As I said, we’ve been coming from the elite round and we’ve been in camp, and that’s made us more than just a group; we’re a family. We’re friends, we understand each other well, and there’s a good relationship between us.”

“All of that reflects on the field, and to win a tournament like this, everyone has to be at 100%. We’re good, and on Saturday we’ll go at 100%,” he concluded.