Dro Fernandez causes a stir in European football - Photo: REUTERS
Highly regarded by coach Flick
In the early morning of October 22 (Vietnam time), Barca easily crushed Olympiakos with a score of 6-1. And the most notable name of the match was not Yamal or Rashford, but the 17-year-old Filipino talent - Dro Fernandez.
Not from the bench, this star whose mother is Filipino was chosen to start in Barca's attack, along with Yamal, Rashford and Fermin Lopez. He played 59 minutes, contributed 1 assist (for Lopez to increase the score to 2-0) and achieved a 90% passing accuracy rate.
Born in Nigran, Galicia, and joining the Barca academy in 2022 at the age of 14, Dro took just three years to break into the first team at Camp Nou.
During the 2025 summer tour, Fernandez began to make his debut. After a few impressive appearances, he was used by coach Hansi Flick when the new season began. In round 5 of La Liga, Fernandez was selected to start in the match against strong opponents Real Sociedad.
Head coach Hansi Flick was the first to publicly praise Dro following his first-team debut in La Liga.
Speaking to Barça Blaugranes, he said: “He has been training with us since the end of last season and that is why he is here. Dro is a great talent, and La Masia has done a very good job."
Fernandez has a mature playing style - Photo: REUTERS
Flick added: “Not only because of the goal, but also because of the way Dro handles the ball. Barcelona have a lot of good players in midfield, it is not easy to break in, but he is showing his ability.
Dro is a player with Barcelona's DNA. He gives us more options when rotating the squad, and what I like most is his relentless spirit."
And as Dro Fernandez began to play more, the football world became more amazed at the talent of the Filipino student (Fernandez is still in high school).
A shower of compliments
Coach Javi Roxo – who coached him in Galicia – shared: “When I watched Dro play for Barca, I realized they helped him develop physically a lot, but the nature of his playing style remained the same – confidence and creativity from a young age”.
Roxo even compared: "I used to think Thiago Alcantara was the most technical player I'd ever seen, but Dro's tactical vision is even better."
Sharing the same opinion, coach Luis Pérez – who led Dro at U10 and U12 levels – told Barca Universal: “Dro has always been a special player. He has a natural feel for the ball, is very creative and can play in many positions. If Hansi Flick had put Dro on the wing, I believe he could still do well."
Dro Fernandez celebrates in the win over Olympiakos - Photo: REUTERS
And indeed in the big win over OIympiakos, Fernandez was placed on the left wing, opposite Yamal's right wing, while Lopez played as an attacking midfielder.
The 17-year-old was deployed as an attacking midfielder when he made his La Liga debut against Sociedad, having played as a central midfielder in the summer friendlies. It is safe to say that coach Flick is still looking for the best way to exploit Fernandez's potential.
The Spanish press calls this phenomenon “the new pearl of La Masia”. Cadena SER commented: “Dro represents the true spirit of Barca’s controlling football – always wanting the ball, always proactively looking for solutions”.
Meanwhile, The Athletic describes the Filipino-born player as “a modern attacking midfielder with the ability to move between the lines and read situations incredibly quickly for a 17-year-old player".
Academy technical experts also warn that Dro has a long way to go. His physique and fitness are still limited, and maintaining his form in the harsh environment of La Liga will determine whether he can become a real mainstay.
Fernandez is 1m78 tall and weighs 68kg, a fairly "common" figure at Camp Nou. But there is still the feeling that he is quite thin, and there is a bit of concern because of the "football village" origin of the player with Filipino blood.
After a shower of praise, Dro Fernandez will face a battle to gain a foothold at Camp Nou, which is never easy when La Masia provides dozens of potential stars every year.
Dro Fernandez was born on January 12, 2008 in the town of Nigrán , Pontevedra province in the Galicia region of Spain. He has a Spanish father and a Filipino mother.
He holds dual nationality, both Spanish and Filipino. This information was confirmed by Manila Montet, which said Fernandez holds a Philippine passport.
Of course, with his potential, Dro Fernandez could dream of playing for the Spanish national team. He has yet to speak out about his future options for the national team.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-sinh-nguoi-philippines-khien-lang-bong-da-chau-au-ngo-ngang-20251022091211297.htm
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