Huge Regret: The Colombia Star Who Almost Wore Barça's Colors

Near Miss with Barcelona

Barcelona scouts didn’t miss in recommending Colombian striker Neyser Villarreal, who shone after delivering a historic hat-trick that knocked Spain out of the Under-20 World Cup.

According to the Spanish newspaper Sport, Barça negotiated with the 20-year-old during the first half of 2025 after he netted eight goals and provided four assists in the South American U-20 Championship.

The 20-year-old refused to renew his contract with Millonarios and was offered to Barcelona through a broker, with internal reports praising his level.

The move would have been ideal in the market, as it’s rare to sign a proven scorer of such potential for free late in the window. But Financial Fair Play constraints, plus Barça’s own budgetary crunch and Athletic’s drop to the Segunda division made it unfeasible, and the club took no formal steps.

In recent months, the player attracted interest from several clubs despite tensions with his current team, with Atlético Madrid the closest after reaching an agreement with Millonarios. Porto and Newcastle also showed strong interest, but Villarreal ultimately did not sign with any European club.

He faded from the spotlight for a while, but ahead of the Chilean U-20 World Cup he joined Cruzeiro on a free transfer, under a contract through December 2030, with no public disclosure of the release clause.

Cruzeiro now enjoys a buoyant moment, as his market value rose even before he has played a single league game in Brazil, after Villarreal’s hat-trick helped Colombia beat Spain 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

The player delivered a stunning performance, showing physical power, pace, and goal threat, proving he’s a forward who can make a difference when in top form.

Villarreal’s tally climbed to five goals in the tournament, tying with American Benjamin Crematzi of Parma for the lead, with eyes on the Golden Boot and helping his country win the title, though he will miss the semifinal against Argentina due to a card suspension.

His continued emergence underlines Barça scouts’ accuracy, who kept expanding their talent net across continents, even if some deals stall due to factors beyond football.

Policy of Barça in hunting talent

Over the past decades, Barcelona built a global reputation as a hub for identifying and developing young players. The famed La Masia academy produced legends like Lionel Messi, Xavi, Iniesta, and Piqué, and the club became a model for nurturing talent with the tiki-taka philosophy.

In recent years, given European competition and market shifts, Barça has broadened its scouting network to cover all continents, seeking rising stars at low cost with high development potential. The club has shown growing interest in Latin American and African talents, alongside careful attention to Asian and American markets.

Notable modern examples include Pedri from Las Palmas, Lamine Yamal from the youth setup, Fermín López, and Alejandro Balde, who have become first-team regulars. Barça also explored talents in South America such as Vitão Rocco and Julián Araújo as part of a long-term strategy to secure future attacking and defensive lines.

However, the policy hasn’t been flawless. Barça has faced hurdles from Financial Fair Play rules that limit investment, and stiff competition from wealthier English clubs and Middle Eastern outfits. They have missed out on several promising players despite scouts’ recommendations, such as Warren Zaïre-Emery at PSG and others, illustrating the harsh realities of modern football economics.

Still, the club remains committed to a balanced approach: mix La Masia graduates with shrewd international discoveries to build a sustainable future. The aim is to assemble a generation capable of restoring Barça to Europe’s summit, without betting the farm on a single mega-sign.

Punchlines aside, if you’re wondering what happened to the “deal of the century,” remember: in football, as in life, sometimes the best matches aren’t stitched in a single window—they’re forged through patience, plan, and a joke or two about the budget slipping away just as the window closes.