Joan Anaya, the Rising Wingback Following His Unique Crucible

Since May 2023, one of the most promising full-backs from La Masia in recent times has been living through almost a nightmare at Barça. Joan Anaya joined the youth ranks of the Blaugrana club as a child and has advanced through the stages, consolidating himself in one of the world’s most demanding clubs.

The defender is the only ‘survivor’ of the 2005 generation, which over time has unraveled within the bowels of Barça. Anaya has played alongside highly skilled and promising players like Bilal Achiba, Joel Roca, and Roger Coll, who, however, have faded along the way. Other footballers like Iker Bravo, Tomi Carbonell, Cristo Muñoz, and Gerard Hernández have shared the team with Anaya but for various reasons have not been able to make it to the reserves.

Injury IN MAY 2023

As mentioned, Anaya suffered a tremendous blow in May 2023. He tore a hamstring during a Youth League match and had to undergo surgery for the first time. Unknowingly, he was embarking on a journey that would extend over two years.

Joan Anaya, during a cadet derby / Javier Ferrándiz

In January 2024, already part of the Barça Atlètic dynamics, he broke the other hamstring in a Primera RFEF match against Celta Fortuna. An emotional blow for a young man barely 18 years old who was already enduring a lengthy journey through hardship. He had to undergo another surgery and commence a long and painful recovery.

FOUR RELAPSES

After completing the 2024 preseason under Albert Sánchez’s guidance, Anaya returned but was injured again in the hamstring area in October. The nightmare with this area persisted. This time, he avoided surgery, but had to stay away from the pitch, his habitat for a while. He concluded this fateful cycle with his hamstrings in March 2025.

In the last two seasons, we have barely seen the Reus native in action for just 16 matches (a total of 701 minutes). After a lot of work on both strengthening, physiotherapy, and the emotional front, it seems Joan can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

He is physically well, and has completed an excellent preseason and fully participated in his official match debut this season against Porreres. He made a decisive impact with a trademark assist to Víctor Barberá for the 1-0.

Jason Reed