Barcelona scout hunting for new gems at South American U-17 Championship | OneFootball

Barcelona continue to expand its scouting network across South America as reports from SPORT suggest that one of the club’s representatives is currently in Colombia to monitor the South American U-17 Championship.

This tournament, which kicked off last month, has attracted scouts from major European and South American clubs, all eager to discover emerging talent in a region known for producing world-class players.

Barcelona’s decision to send a scout to this competition is part of a broader strategy to remain proactive in identifying promising players at an early stage.

The club’s scouting department recognises the significance of these tournaments, where young talents can showcase their skills against some of the best players of their age group.

Barcelona’s active presence in South America in 2025

This visit to Colombia marks the third occasion in 2025 that Barcelona have sent scouts across the Atlantic to monitor key youth competitions in South America.

In January, Barcelona dispatched a scout to the Copa Sao Paulo de Juniores, famously known as the Copinha.

This traditional tournament is considered one of the most prestigious youth competitions in Brazil, often serving as a stepping stone for future stars.

Interestingly, the 2025 edition coincided with the Paulista Championship, which had its schedule adjusted due to the Club World Cup break.

Later in January, another member of the scouting department travelled to Venezuela to observe the South American U-20 Championship.

Meanwhile, although no specific players have been identified for potential recruitment just yet, reports from the U-17 Championship in Colombia are expected to arrive soon.

After all, Barcelona’s commitment to scouting South America’s talent pool suggests that the club is looking to reinforce its squad with youthful promise, ensuring a steady influx of emerging stars for the future.