Football teaches us that life is a constant flicker, a rapid blink of an eye that generates new stories with every play. A single shot can take you to different places, as if each gesture conceals infinite universes. Marc Guiu (Granollers, 2006) witnessed this firsthand on the night of October 22, transforming a lackluster, gray, and forgettable match into the defining moment of his life. A goal for a lifetime. And this goal encapsulates the essence of a La Masia striker.
Barcelona has been looking to its youth ranks to reclaim its place at the top, understanding the necessity of relying on La Masia. It has always been generous. Marc Guiu’s case is atypical compared to the recent debutants who have made an impact. He has never been in the spotlight, unlike superstars like Lamine Yamal, Gavi, or Balde. Guiu represents the victory of determination.
A Path Away from the Limelight
The forward, who has played only eight minutes for Barcelona’s reserve team this season, joined the club’s pre-benjamin team from the Peña barcelonista de Sant Celoni. Like most players who reach the first team, Guiu has moved through the youth categories but always stayed in the background, far from the premature media and fan attention. Perhaps, that’s what has allowed him to reach this point.
“I’m surprised they’re not scared. I see a spark, a desire in them. They look at me with faces that say, ‘put me in, I’ll do well.’ The youngsters aren’t afraid. There’s a very talented generation in the reserves and in the youth team, and we need to make the most of it,” explained Xavi Hernandez on DAZN after the match. Marc Guiu has played more minutes in the first team than in the reserve team this season, and just a week ago, he scored for Barcelona’s Juvenil A team, where he is showcasing his main attributes.
Guiu: An Atypical Number 9
Guiu is a different kind of forward than what people typically associate with La Masia. He’s not an associative player who drops deep to be involved in the build-up. His focus is on scoring goals, and he’s excellent at it. For instance, he was the joint top scorer in the U-17 European Championship last summer with Spain. “He’s got goals on his mind. He’s a player who might have room for technical improvement, not particularly refined, but he’s extremely confident,” say sources close to the club. Guiu views the game through the lens of scoring, not the other way around.
Guiu’s physicality stands out; his height of 6’1″ gives him an advantage against defenders. Combined with his speed and body control, Guiu is effective at making runs and displacing opponents. “He’s always been clear about his goal. He’s a player who understands when to make runs when the midfielder receives in the box, and that’s something Xavi appreciates,” sources from the club explain. The spark that Xavi talked about after the game was evident in the goal. Guiu didn’t need a signal to start running; he saw it and executed it.
A Unique Striker
Guiu arrived at Barcelona at the age of seven, which is extraordinarily early. Perhaps this is why he couldn’t have debuted any better, scoring before people realized he had come on. His path to success has been unique. Moreover, Guiu represents a forgotten style of forward: a traditional striker. He’s focused on making runs and finishing, rather than getting involved in the intricate build-up. He embodies the essence of a true number 9. “Even from a young age, he had that mentality. He’s a player who always responds, takes on challenges, and doesn’t get distracted,” said one of his former coaches.
In a world where forwards often play like midfielders, number 9s act like number 10s, and attackers prioritize playmaking over scoring, Marc Guiu stands out as a classic striker, a rejection of modernity. “His game is all about scoring. He’s competent with both feet and knows how to position himself in the opposition’s box. He can finish like a washing machine,” says another former coach.
Guiu’s night began on the bench, away from the spotlight, and ended at the center of the stage with the audience applauding, demanding an encore because people always want a new hero to adore. However, perhaps due to the unexpectedness of it all, Guiu asked David Villa for a photo after the on-field interview, as if for a moment, he had forgotten that the spotlight was on him, not the person next to him.
Source: RELEVO
