Barcelona’s La Masia graduate, Diego Kochen, is set to make a surprise leap into the spotlight as the club faces a mounting goalkeeping crisis ahead of their La Liga season opener against Mallorca on August 16.

The 19-year-old shot-stopper has emerged as the only realistic choice for head coach Hansi Flick, with first-choice keeper Joan Garcia and backup Wojciech Szczesny both yet to be registered with La Liga due to the club’s ongoing financial struggles. The situation is further complicated by Marc-André ter Stegen’s ongoing conflict with the club and Inaki Peña’s expected departure before the season begins.

Kochen, who joined Barcelona’s academy in 2019 and signed his first professional contract in 2022, has already tasted senior football during the club’s pre-season tour of Asia, where he was preferred over Peña. Having progressed steadily through the youth ranks, he is now seen as Flick’s likely top choice for the season if no other registrations are completed in time.

The young goalkeeper is “no stranger to the senior team environment,” having received four call-ups to the US men’s national team under Mauricio Pochettino, and is considered a strong contender for a spot in the 2026 World Cup squad. Despite his age and limited top-flight experience, Barcelona may have no option but to hand him his competitive debut and entrust him with a critical role in the months ahead.