Roony Bardghji: The Next Star Rising in Barcelona’s Future?

Insights from Denmark’s Football Scene

During the 2023/24 season, FC Copenhagen’s Roony Bardghji made headlines as one of the youngest goalscorers in Champions League history, netting a goal against Manchester United at just 17 years, 11 months, and 24 days old. His impressive debut ignited comparisons to Wayne Rooney, and now, nearly two years later, the 19-year-old is reportedly on the verge of joining La Liga powerhouse Barcelona this summer.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that Barcelona is nearing a deal to acquire Bardghji from FC Copenhagen, with final negotiations expected to conclude shortly. The young Swede has a market value of €7.5 million and has already made 84 appearances for the first team, scoring 15 goals. It appears that Barcelona has outmaneuvered several rival clubs for his signature, potentially securing him for a mere €2 million due to his contract expiring at the end of the year, although the deal will include additional incentives and a sell-on clause. So, what can Bardghji offer at Camp Nou?

What Can Roony Bardghji Contribute to Barcelona?

“He’s a dynamic inside forward who enjoys cutting in from the right,” explains Transfermarkt‘s Data Scout in Denmark, Ziyu Ji. While Bardghji may face competition in the form of the highly valued Lamine Yamal for playing time on the right, Ji notes that the young talent’s versatility is a key attribute: “He excels in dribbling and operating in tight spaces. His strengths are his technical skills, one-on-one abilities, and clever off-the-ball movements. Notably, he has a powerful weak foot; I recall a friendly match against Brøndby where he scored a stunning volley with his weaker right foot.”

It’s unlikely that Bardghji will start immediately under Hansi Flick, as he may be seen more as a future prospect than a present solution. Ji does mention some of the 19-year-old’s limitations: “He struggles with aerial duels and needs to improve his consistency. There are moments when he can go unnoticed during matches.” Nevertheless, Barcelona fans may be thrilled to hear that Ji compares Bardghji’s style of play to that of Lionel Messi and Dejan Kulusevski: “If I had to choose two players he resembles, it would be Messi for his similar dribbling style—some journalists even call him the ‘Swedish Messi’—and Kulusevski for their tendency to cut inside and create goal-scoring chances.”

“I believe that despite some difficulties, he will become a regular starter for a top European club in the future,” Ji stated. However, when asked if Bardghji is ready to play regularly for Barcelona right away, he responded, “The short answer is no. He has just returned from a significant knee injury sustained in May 2024 and is currently sidelined with another injury but is expected to recover soon. He needs consistent playing time in a less demanding league to acclimate to this level of competition. Reports suggest he will be bouncing between the B team and the first team at Barcelona, which may not benefit his development. Additionally, Barcelona Atlètic’s relegation to the Spanish fourth tier would not provide an optimal environment for his growth.”