This scout report is a guest article from Leo.
Quim Junyent is a midfielder who embodies the evolving identity of Barcelona’s next generation. He is a technically refined, tactically mature playmaker who operates with the calm confidence of a player well beyond his years. At just 18, he already shows the hallmarks of a La Masia graduate: composure under pressure, spatial intelligence, and an instinctive ability to dictate tempo. What makes him particularly intriguing is that, unlike some of his predecessors, Junyent also shows early signs of adapting physically to the modern game, which is essential for making the leap to senior-level football in Europe’s top leagues.
Physically, Junyent does not dominate games through size or athleticism, but he is far from a liability. Standing around 5’11” with a lean, agile frame, he moves intelligently across the pitch and maintains excellent balance even under pressure. His changes of direction are sharp, and his stamina is impressive, allowing him to remain effective throughout the match. What he lacks in raw explosiveness or strength, he makes up for with timing, positioning, and decision-making. However, as he transitions into senior football, adding more upper-body strength and developing greater resistance to contact will be essential to help him compete against more physically developed opponents.
What stands out immediately when watching Junyent is how composed he is in possession. He plays at his own pace and refuses to be rushed by pressure. His first touch is consistently clean, and he uses body orientation, head movement, and subtle feints to create space before receiving the ball. His passing range is not focused on flashy long diagonals but rather on efficient, precise progression. Junyent excels at finding teammates between the lines with perfectly weighted passes and is particularly effective at releasing wingers or overlapping fullbacks into dangerous spaces. While he does not score often or shoot frequently, it appears to be a conscious choice to prioritize control and structure over final actions, a role that suits his profile well at this stage of his development.
Off the ball, Junyent displays a strong sense of tactical awareness. He is constantly adjusting his position to support the build-up play, forming passing angles, and creating outlets. He often drops deep to initiate play or drifts into wider areas to create numerical advantages. He is rarely static, always scanning the field and repositioning himself with intelligence. His off-ball movement causes problems for defenders, often without him needing to even touch the ball. This level of awareness is one of his standout qualities. Defensively, although he is not a traditional ball-winner, he is a smart and disciplined disruptor. Junyent anticipates passes extremely well and presses with intent. Rather than diving into tackles, he relies on positioning and timing to apply pressure and force mistakes, helping maintain the team’s defensive structure.
The next stage of his development will be critical. Junyent has the technical foundation and tactical intelligence to play at the highest level, but his physical profile needs to evolve to match the demands of senior football. A well-planned loan move to a possession-based side in the Spanish second division could be the ideal next step. It would allow him to test himself against seasoned professionals while still operating in a tactical setup that values control and intelligence. If guided carefully, he could grow into a deep-lying playmaker capable of dictating games at the top level.
What truly sets Junyent apart from many of his peers is his ability to control the rhythm of a match. While most young players tend to rush under pressure, he slows the game down, using his awareness and technique to play through opposition lines. He appears to think faster than he moves, and in midfield, that often makes the difference. His vision, balance, maturity, and courage on the ball are already evident. If his physical development keeps progressing, there is every reason to believe he could become a consistent presence in Barcelona’s midfield in the coming years. Junyent may not be the flashiest player, but he is one who quietly makes everything around him work more smoothly.
Target Scouting 