Barcelona’s Jesse Bissio profile points to promise, not a decision

Barcelona are continuing to assess the future of teenage winger Jesse Bissio, with Hansi Flick expected to make the final call on whether the Belgian will remain with the first team or begin the new season with the club’s reserve side.

Bissio has already appeared in the first-team squad list on Barcelona’s official website, despite the fact that his status within the senior squad has not yet been formally settled. The 18-year-old has not been registered as a first-team player, meaning the online listing does not represent confirmation that he will be part of Flick’s permanent plans.

The development was reported by Spanish newspaper Sport, which said Bissio’s inclusion should not be dismissed as a routine website update. Instead, it is viewed as an indication of the confidence Barcelona’s sporting department has in the player and his potential to develop close to the senior squad.

Barcelona officially announced Bissio’s arrival from Club Brugge this summer. He signed a contract running until 2031 and was presented at a ceremony attended by club president Joan Laporta. The deal was completed for an initial fee of 8.5m euros, with additional payments potentially taking the overall value higher.

Although Bissio is still at an early stage of his professional career and has limited senior experience, Barcelona believe he possesses qualities that could allow him to progress quickly. His pace, ability to beat opponents and versatility across several attacking positions were among the factors that encouraged sporting director Deco to move quickly to complete the transfer.

His performances for Club Brugge, particularly in the UEFA Youth League, strengthened Barcelona’s belief that he is one of the most promising young players emerging from Belgian football. Those displays helped convince the club to invest in his development and secure his long-term future.

The next stage of that process will depend on Flick. The Barcelona head coach is expected to assess Bissio during the opening weeks of the season before deciding which environment will best support his progress.

If Flick believes the winger is ready to compete at the highest level, Bissio could become a permanent member of the first-team squad. Should the German coach conclude that the teenager needs more time and experience, he would instead be registered with the reserve team.

That alternative would not remove Bissio from Barcelona’s senior plans. He would remain available for consideration by the first team whenever required, allowing the club to continue monitoring his development while giving him regular opportunities to gain experience.

For now, his appearance on Barcelona’s official first-team list remains a sign of the club’s expectations rather than a definitive decision about his immediate future. It underlines the scale of the commitment Barcelona have made to Bissio, while leaving Flick with the responsibility of deciding when the young Belgian is ready for a permanent place among the club’s senior players.