The great praise from a Barcelona legend for Casadó
Marc Casadó has earned his place in Barcelona's first team, and his rise has not gone unnoticed. The 21-year-old midfielder has been one of the biggest surprises of the season, establishing himself as a regular starter under Hansi Flick and earning his first call-up to the Spanish national team. For Rafa Márquez, who coached him at Barça Atlètic for the past two seasons, the young player has proven to be much more than just a potential talent. "Casadó is a total leader; he has earned his place with hard work and determination," said the former Mexican defender, now the assistant coach for his national team.
Márquez did not hesitate to highlight Flick's bravery in trusting Casadó from the very beginning. The Barcelona manager has placed his faith in the young talent, and for the former Barcelona player, that decision has been key. "Since Flick saw him, he decided to keep him, and that should be valued," he stated. According to Rafa, decisions like this—based on trusting young players and giving them the chance to shine in the first team—are fundamental to Barcelona's philosophy.
Regarding Casadó's character, Márquez emphasized the competitiveness and desire to constantly improve that have defined the midfielder. "He reminded me a lot of myself due to his attitude, winning mentality, and constant drive to get better. Casadó gives his all in every match and training session," he explained. He even recalled that despite being called up to the first team on several occasions, Casadó insisted on continuing to play with the B team, demonstrating his commitment to the collective development.
Márquez also highlighted the growth and areas where Casadó can still improve, particularly in terms of his positioning on the field. While the player has shown great confidence and dynamism, his enthusiasm sometimes leads him out of position, which requires adjustments in his play. "He's very young and has a lot of room to improve, but his mentality will lead him to quickly understand these aspects," he commented.
The former Barcelona player also spoke about Marc Bernal, another talent he coached at Barça Atlètic, who unfortunately has suffered a serious injury. "It's a shame about Bernal, he was showing great form. I hope he recovers soon," Márquez said, also stressing the potential of the players developed at La Masía and their importance for the club's future.
