Riqui Puig’s pre-season form has led to many dubbing him Barcelona’s next big midfield talent – but Ernesto Valverde has attempted to put a lid on the hype.
Though Barca lost 1-0 in their International Champions Cup clash with AC Milan on Saturday, Puig’s introduction as a substitute left tongues wagging.
The 18-year-old did not once concede possession of the ball in a second-half performance that brought to mind the likes of other La Masia products such as Xavi and Sergio Busquets.
But fans hoping to catch a glimpse of him in the Supercopa de Espana against Sevilla next Sunday night may be disappointed, according to Valverde.
“Of course, we are happy with the response of all the ‘B’ players who have come in,” he said.
“Riqui [Puig] has played a great second half, [but] we must be calm with the players. We get very excited, it’s about winning the Super Cup, not seeing if Riqui comes or not.”
Rossoneri boss Gennaro Gattuso however did not hold back in his praise of Puig, calling the teenager a ‘spectacle’.
Gattuso was more steel than silk during his own playing career – but admits to feeling envious of the technique-oriented Blaugrana model.
“Riqui is a spectacle, to see boys who still have a child’s face and how they treat the ball is something that amazes me, they feel football inside and it’s something like poetry,” he said.
“I’ve heard them talking about him for some time, it’s something you can’t cut and paste into another club.
“They don’t base themselves on a tactical model, but a common idea, I am a bit jealous of their school.”
