‘It’s not easy’ – Ghana’s Hafiz Gariba on adapting to life at Barcelona’s La Masia

Hafiz Gariba has acknowledged that settling into life at Barcelona’s renowned La Masia academy has come with challenges, despite the pride of joining one of world football’s most respected youth setups.

The 18-year-old central defender, born and raised in Teshie, Ghana, secured a dream move to Barcelona’s Juvenil B U-18 side after impressing scouts during his development at the Marcet Soccer Academy in Spain.

Gariba had earlier progressed through Ghana’s Zinaps FC and Villarreal CF Africa, where his composure and technical qualities at the back stood out.

Having admired the club since childhood, Gariba sees his arrival at Barcelona as a dream come true. But life at La Masia, while prestigious, is demanding—especially for players coming from outside Europe.

“In Barcelona there’s a big difference. The way we train and the way we play our matches, our tactics, is very different from Africa. It’s not easy but I always work hard in training and give my best,” Gariba said.

He was discovered by Barcelona scouts while at Marcet, who monitored his progress over several months before extending a three-year offer. Gariba’s adaptation to the club’s style and tactical demands remains ongoing, but his focus and commitment have earned praise from coaches at the academy.

His story reflects the increasing reach of Barcelona’s global scouting network and the growing opportunities for African youth talents in elite European systems. Gariba joins a long list of Ghanaian players who have taken steps abroad in pursuit of top-level football, but his place at La Masia places him among the few to have entered through the doors of one of the sport’s most revered academies.

Despite the hurdles, Gariba remains determined to thrive in Catalonia and fulfil the potential that brought him to Barcelona.