Source: REUTERS/Albert Gea
[Saba Sports News] According to Spanish media reports, Barcelona has officially signed a cooperation agreement with the Mali African Football Academy aimed at nurturing and discovering African football talent. Reports state that a delegation from Barcelona, including Sergi Barjuan and Bernat Villa, traveled to Mali. Additionally, Moussa Kone, head of scouts for the African continent, and Antonio Jilin Hidalgo, who will serve as Spain’s ambassador to Mali starting November 2023, also attended the event. Barcelona and the African Football Academy had previously initiated a cooperation agreement under which Barcelona will provide financial support to the academy in exchange for priority access to some of the talented players developed by the center. In fact, this cooperation has already been reflected in Ibrahim Diarra, a player who stayed with Barcelona but had to leave the city at the end of February due to visa expiration. Nevertheless, Barcelona has been closely monitoring this player, who made a strong impression while training with the youth and reserve teams.