Barcelona goalkeeping gem living the dream at the club, idolises veteran superstar

Barcelona’s goalkeeping future is secure, with Marc-Andre ter Stegen as the undisputed starter and Inaki Pena as his backup.

Emerging talents like Diego Kochen and Ander Astralaga add depth to the club’s goalkeeper options.

Kochen, who is under contract until 2028, is seen as the future No. 1 at Barcelona. The teenager trained regularly with the senior team last season under Xavi Hernandez.

And now that he is entering next season, it is anticipated that Kochen will rise in prominence and alternate with Astralaga as the reserve team’s goalkeeper next season.

Diego Kochen is on cloud nine

Speaking to Telemundo (h/t Mundo Deportivo) confessed that playing for Barcelona is a dream come true and acknowledged his parents for relocating from Florida to Catalonia, without whom this would never have been a possibility.

“It’s a dream because suddenly one day you’re here playing in the state of Florida and such and the next you’re in the best youth teams in the world.

“I’m very grateful, especially to my parents, without whom we wouldn’t have moved to Spain and Barça wouldn’t be an option, so all my thanks go to them,” he said.

Kochen, who joined La Masia in 2019, was pleasantly surprised by Barcelona’s unexpected call.

“I would never have imagined it, never. That’s why I say that this is the stuff of dreams. I didn’t think that one day I could be here at this stage.

“Of course, I came here and started playing for Marcet FC, like any child, and of course when my father told me that one day Barça would want me, I couldn’t believe it,” he claimed.

Touching upon how his father broke the news, he said, “One day while training, he took me out of training and said, Hey Diego, Barça wants you. You could see that my heart sank. I couldn’t believe it.”

Praise for Ter Stegen and Rafa Marquez

Showering praise on Marc-Andre ter Stegen, he claimed that the German has always been his idol and that it is an honour to share the dressing room with him.

“As a goalkeeper, it was always Ter Stegen, from day one. He’s been my idol since I was little, since I was 12, and now I get to share a locker room with him.

“I saw him pass by and I couldn’t believe I was sharing the same space with him. He’s a gentleman,” he remarked.

Finally, the 18-year-old spoke highly of Barcelona Atletic coach Rafa Marquez, stating, “Marquez is a very positive person who is always giving advice to those who need it.

“The whole team knows that we can count on him and that he will always be there in difficult times.”