Defending a Dream

A journey of effort, sacrifice, and learning led Hafiz Gariba from Ghana to signing with FC Barcelona.

From a young age, Hafiz Gariba dreamed of reaching the elite level of football. Raised in Ghana, he took his first steps in the world’s most popular sport and, over time, began to stand out for his talent and determination. Years later, after a process of development and growth at Marcet, the young defender signed up with FC Barcelona, becoming an example of perseverance and overcoming challenges. His signing results from a journey filled with obstacles, learning, and constant evolution.

The road was not easy, but Hafiz always believed in his potential. “I felt I could become a professional footballer from a young age. My family and friends supported me and always told me to work hard,” recalls the Ghanaian center-back. His determination led him to train relentlessly, convinced that football was his passion and an opportunity to change his life.

It was during a match in his home country that Marcet scouts spotted his talent. “They saw me play and decided to help me. My agent told me about Marcet, and I started following them on social media and watching their videos. I knew it was the right place for me.” Without hesitation, Hafiz left his country and moved to Spain to refine his game in a high-performance environment.

At Marcet, Gariba had to overcome challenges on and off the field. “At first, communication was difficult. I didn’t speak the language, and adapting wasn’t easy. But Marcet is like a family; they helped me every step of the way.” He learned to refine his technique and improve his defensive positioning on the pitch. However, one of the tools that impacted him the most was video analysis: “In Ghana, after matches, no one analyzed your performance. Here, they call you, show you videos, and explain what to improve. That helped me a lot.”

Over time, his growth became evident. His imposing physique, combined with his ability to anticipate and dominate aerial duels, caught the attention of major clubs. Eventually, FC Barcelona secured his services, incorporating him into their Juvenil B squad with a long-term development plan. “When I saw the news that Barça wanted me, I couldn’t believe it. Maybe it wasn’t me, that they were looking for another player. Barcelona is a huge club, it was an incredible surprise,” Hafiz admits.

Following his signing, the Ghanaian center-back is clear about his goal: establishing himself at Barça and continuing to grow as a player. “Since I was little, I watched Barcelona’s matches. My favorite player has always been Carles Puyol. I want to keep learning and prove that I belong here.” His story proves that dreams can become reality with effort and proper training.