Barcelona have handed Shane Kluivert a taste of first-team training in Istanbul, with Hansi Flick bringing the Juvenil A winger into the senior squad’s preparations for the Champions League meeting with Galatasaray.
According to SPORT, the 19-year-old joined the session to help complete the tactical work ahead of Tuesday’s fixture.
His inclusion, however, does not signal an immediate promotion, with the move understood to be temporary.
Kluivert is expected to return to Barcelona’s youth setup for the UEFA Youth League meeting against Galatasaray, where he will be an important attacking option as the Catalans look to strengthen their European campaign.
Kluivert trains with Barcelona first team
The young winger’s presence initially went unnoticed during Monday’s training session in Istanbul.
Kluivert did not appear on the pitch during the first 15 minutes, open to the media, meaning his involvement was not immediately identified.
He was the only youth-team player called up to join the first-team group.
SPORT indicates that Flick’s decision was primarily intended to provide the numbers required for the tactical session rather than signal a change in Kluivert’s standing within the senior squad.
For Kluivert, it was still an opportunity that offers the youngster valuable exposure to Flick’s methods and the demands of first-team preparation.
However, his immediate focus remains with the youth side rather than the senior team’s Champions League plans.
Barcelona face Galatasaray with three injury absentees
Kluivert’s involvement came as Barcelona finished preparing for a difficult European assignment.
Shane Kluivert trained with the first team, but will not play against Galatasaray. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Flick has travelled to Istanbul with his available players, but three senior footballers remain sidelined through injury.
Raphinha is the most prominent absentee after returning early from Brazil’s international camp with muscle oedema in his right thigh, sustained during the second friendly against Australia.
Frenkie de Jong and Andreas Christensen are also unavailable.
Meanwhile, Kluivert faces a separate European challenge, as Barcelona’s Juvenil A side faces Galatasaray in the Youth League after stumbling against Feyenoord on the opening matchday.
The Dutch-born attacker is expected to return to that squad, where his contribution could be important to Barça’s hopes of progressing.