Òscar Gistau - La Masia's ruthless goal scorer

Òscar Gistau – another top striker developed in La Masia to keep an eye on in the future. Let’s have a look in detail the path of the young Spanish striker in becoming the player he is now.

Description

Òscar Gistau was born on the 8th of March, 2008 in Salou. His footballing journey started in a local team – Tecnifutbol de Salou when he was 6. He didn’t play there for long as in 2015, he joined CF Reus Deportiu. There he spent 5 seasons, playing in 7-side teams up to the Alevín level. It was then when he caught the attention of Barcelona. Barcelona coaches who have seen him play mention: “I remember a tournament in December 2019 in Cambrils where he played against Barça’s Alevin B team. Reus won 2-1, and his performance was an exhibition of movement and power, he tore through Barcelona abusing space.” In his last year as Alevin, he scored 45 goals for CF Reus.

Òscar also had some training sessions with first-year cadets, however at the time the club did not make a decision. But it was Albert Puig together with Arnau Blanco who strongly advocated for him to be incorporated into the club. Eventually convincing Aureli Altimira and Jordi Roura to take the next step. It wasn’t as straightforward as it seemed at first as the player had several offers from Espanyol, Villarreal and Valencia. Eventually, the player opted for Barcelona, due to him being a massive culé. It’s not surprising as from an early age, his footballing idols have always been Barcelona legends – Lionel Messi and Luis Suárez.
Òscar’s first year at the club, the 20-21 season, was not easy. As it was marked by the absence of competition until March due to COVID-19. And when the competition resumed, he injured his arm. So he played only a few games, yet he still scored several goals. “He always gave his all during training,” says one of his former coaches. During his first year, he had to learn that at Reus he was the standout player. But at Barcelona, he had to share the spotlight in attack with players like Guille Fernández, Toni Fernández, Sidney Delgado, Sama Nomoko, and Pedro Rodríguez.

In the 21-22 season for Infantil A, this is where he managed to score 17 goals. While also picking up at least 3 assists. That season he was the second-highest top scorer in the team just behind Sama Nomoko. In the 22-23 season he was promoted straight to Cadet A from Infantil A together with teammates Andrea Natali and Guille Fernández. This time around despite being one of the youngest members of the team he became the top scorer of the team and the league with 21 goals and at least 10 assists. The same season he also scored a goal on his Juvenil B debut.

Meanwhile, in the 23-24 season Òscar got promoted to Juvenil B (U18). Despite being only 15, he had adapted well to Juvenil football. While making his Juvenil A and UYL debut during the season. So far he has 9 goals and at least 3 assists for Juvenil B. While also scoring 4 goals and 1 assist for Juvenil A. Xavi noticed his progression and decided to call him up for several training sessions with the first team. Òscar is also regular with Spain Youth National Teams of U15 and U16 sides, where he scored several goals.

Playing style

Similar player: Mix of Erling Haaland & Harry Kane

Òscar Gistau is a right-footed striker, a typical number 9. He has great link-up ability, which he needed to work on during his early stages in La Masia. Combining that with his off-the-ball-movement and his tendency to run in behind the defenders with his acceleration. Or ability to use that free space to create chances, makes him a force to be reckoned with. “He improved his ability to link up with teammates, and in his first year in 11-a-side football, you could already see that he was very difficult to stop when running into space.” – says one of his coaches.

His hunger for goals and his finishing ability make him a typical number 9 with the instinct of wanting to score goals. From the club, they say: “Òscar has a great ambition to get into the box, go for rebounds, always started runs to end up finish chance… because he’s crazy about scoring goals. He had a knack for first-touch finishes like classic number 9s.” His physique, athleticism, agility, ball control and general coordination make him a forward with the ability to protect the ball with his body.

Òscar has great heading ability but needs to go for those aerial-duels more often as he has all the capabilities to win them. Despite being right-footed he is capable of using his weaker foot, which improved a lot: “With individual drills, his left foot was improving, and now he uses it a lot”. Intelligent in his touches to get away from his marker, and positioning in the box, he is a striker that defenders hate to face.

He is also capable of creating chances for his teammates. Òscar Gistau can take free-kicks, not only that but score them consistently as he has done even during pre-season with Juvenil B. While talking about his defensive contributions one of his former coaches mentions: “He was also a forward you didn’t have to constantly ask to work defensively because he was very diligent.”

Future at the club

Òscar’s contract is about to expire in the summer. And he will need to sign a professional contract as recently he turned 16. The club is working to renew the promising striker. However, will need to offer a sporting project that will satisfy both parties. Oscar’s progression and playing for Juvenil teams, despite being of Cadet age shows that Barcelona believes in his potential and ability.

Moreover, his progression is quite similar to that of Marc Guiu who also was alternating between the U18 and U19 sides. But Òscar is it, while being a year younger. One of his former coaches say: “I believe that it had been many years since there was such a specialized and promising number 9 in La Masia. Personally, I believe he’s ahead of Iker Bravo, Marc Guiu, and others. Some of us joked within the club that Gistau is going to be worth a lot of money.”

Òscar Gistau has the potential to reach the first team in the near future. Becoming another top striker that cules would be able to enjoy.