Barcelona see 18-year-old La Masia gem as a future star for club and country | OneFootball

Barcelona’s rising star, Diego Kochen, is steadily carving out a name for himself with the club’s B team.

In fact, a report from SPORT mentions that at just 18 years old, the young goalkeeper is being touted as a future cornerstone for both Barcelona and the United States national team.

His performances and potential have already earned him a contract with Barça that runs until 2028, signalling the club’s trust in his abilities and long-term vision for his development.

Has impressed Mauricio Pochettino

Kochen has also caught the attention of the United States national team. Though he hasn’t yet made his senior debut, he has been called up four times by head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

The move reflects the team’s intent to prepare him for a key role in the lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, which the United States will co-host.

Diego Kochen has impressed everyone at the club. (Photo by PAU BARRENA/AFP via Getty Images)

The decision to involve him at this early stage shows the high hopes the national team has for the young shot-stopper.

Important for the youth team

This season, Kochen has made impressive strides with Barcelona B. Initially rotating starts with teammate Ander Astralaga, he has now secured the starting spot for the past four games.

Out of the last nine matches, he has featured in seven, with his absence in two games attributed to international duties, which required extensive travel.

His progress on the pitch has been undeniable, as evidenced by his outstanding performance against Athletic Bilbao, where he made nine crucial saves.

Kochen’s journey with Barça began in 2019 when he joined the club from the Marcet Foundation. Since then, he has been steadily developing his craft, earning the club’s trust with every step.

Barcelona are confident that they have a special talent on their hands—one who could potentially guard their goal for years to come. With his current trajectory, Kochen looks set to fulfil his promise as a vital player for both club and country.