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Zubieta has done it again. Here's a look at Ander Barrenetxea and yes that's a name you all will have to learn.
Born in december 2001 he is only 18 years old and the youngest player in the Real Sociedad first team.
Born in december 2001 he is only 18 years old and the youngest player in the Real Sociedad first team.
The youngest team at Real Sociedad's youth academy Zubieta is infantil, so 12 year olds. And that's also the age Ander Barrenetxea was when he joined the club in 2013.
Growing up his idol was as any kid in San Sebastian: Xabi Prieto and later Oyarzabal has become his role model
Growing up his idol was as any kid in San Sebastian: Xabi Prieto and later Oyarzabal has become his role model
The 2018-19 season was when Ander Barrenetxea's life started to change rapidly. He started the season playing with his peers in Juvenil... then in the time of only five months he had played for six different teams, including making a historic debut in LaLiga, age 16!
Barrenetxea started the season playing for the Juvenil team but after 6 goals in 9 matches, including a brace against Athletic it was obvious he was too good for the level so he was moved to La Real C in Tercera Division. He only played 17 min in his debut but still scored.
The 16 year old was then called up to Spain's U18 national team which followed with him also playing for the Basque U18 national team.
Back at Real Sociedad, Asier Garitano called him up to join the first team for the league match against Deportivo Alavés.
Making his debut he became the first player born in the 21st century to appear in the competition and Real Sociedad's youngest since Pedro Irastorza in 1934
Making his debut he became the first player born in the 21st century to appear in the competition and Real Sociedad's youngest since Pedro Irastorza in 1934
Only days after making his first team debut Barrenetxea got his debut for Real Sociedad's B-team, Sanse, and scored a golazo.
In five months he had played for six teams.
At the end of the season he had played 8 matches for Sanse, and 9 (including 5 starts) for the first team.
In five months he had played for six teams.
At the end of the season he had played 8 matches for Sanse, and 9 (including 5 starts) for the first team.
Barrenetxea's first goal for the first team came against Real Madrid at the age of 17 years and 136 day he became the youngest goalscorer in the history of the club, as La Real won 3-1
Too young to have a driver license he then took the bike home from the stadium (as always)
Too young to have a driver license he then took the bike home from the stadium (as always)
Last summer Barrenetxea played and won his first international tournament, as the youngest player of Spain's U19 team that were crowned European champions.
This season he's had some injury problems but played 12 matches for Real Sociedad, two from start.
This season he's had some injury problems but played 12 matches for Real Sociedad, two from start.
There is no doubt that there is something very special with this kid. There is a calmness about him when he plays, and he is completely fearless, he's quick, got brilliant technique and an incredible touch on the ball.
Football fans have good reasons to be excited.
Football fans have good reasons to be excited.
And Real Sociedad fans definitely have good reasons to be excited because they might get to keep Barrenetxea for a long time.
As he has said that his biggest dream is to play many, many years at La Real and eventually end his career at the club.
As he has said that his biggest dream is to play many, many years at La Real and eventually end his career at the club.
He is young and if he continues like this there will be many offers and many temptations.
But here is the thing. Real Sociedad and San Sebastian is a bit different than most clubs, because there kids really grow up dreaming about playing for Real Sociedad and only Real Sociedad.
But here is the thing. Real Sociedad and San Sebastian is a bit different than most clubs, because there kids really grow up dreaming about playing for Real Sociedad and only Real Sociedad.
We've seen many examples of it, of all the LaLiga clubs Real Sociedad is the club that historically has had the most One Club Men, the most well known of them is Xabi Prieto, who also is the one kids like Barrenetxea grew up wanting to be like.
So who knows.. time will tell!
So who knows.. time will tell!
