Juan Miranda: Who is Schalke's Barcelona-owned full-back?
Schalke loan signing Juan Miranda is a product of the vaunted Barcelona La Masia academy that produced the likes of Lionel Messi and Thiago Alcantara - but what else is there to know about the Spanish left-back?
bundesliga.com takes a closer look at the 19-year-old, who has penned a two-year loan deal with the Royal Blues...
Juan Miranda
Age: 19
Club: Schalke
Position: Left-back
Country: Spain U19s (19 caps, 2 goals)
Key stats
Born in the Spanish town of Olivares near Sevilla, Miranda began his career with Real Betis before joining the Barcelona youth system at 15. He made his debut for the B team in the first game of the 2017/18 season, and went on to make seven appearances, scoring on his fifth outing in a game against Granada. A UEFA Youth League winner at U19s level, Miranda played in a further 30 matches for the reserves in 2018/19, although he did make his senior bow in the early stages of the Copa Del Rey against Cultural Leonesa, before starting the UEFA Champions League group-stage draw with Tottenham Hotspur. He was an unused substitute in Barca's Supercoppa win over Sevilla.
Miranda's progression on the club scene has been mirrored by his steady rise through the international ranks with Spain. The 6'0" defender was part of the team that won the UEFA U17 Euro in 2017, making his debut in that particular age group at 16. After playing under Luis de la Fuente for the U18s, he - like his coach - made the step up to the U19s. Five of his 19 caps came during the UEFA U19 Euros, which Spain won after beating Iberian rivals Portugal in the final. Miranda scored two goals in the groups, and chipped in with an assist in the final.
Plays a bit like: Jordi Alba
The Barcelona must have had Jordi Alba in mind when they promoted Miranda to the first team. Much like Barca's first-choice left-back, the youngster has the engine to match his desire to bomb forward. He's also a dab-hand from dead-ball situations.
Did you know?
When Miranda signed a new three-year contract extension with Barcelona in summer 2018, the Catalans reportedly inserted a €200 million buy-out clause into the deal, all but securing his long-term future at the club.
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What they're saying
"They have a huge level. We don't have to protect them, we have to put them on the field and let them grow there." - Gerard Pique on Juan Miranda and fellow La Masia starlet Riqui Puig
"Juan is a great talent in Spanish football in the left-back position. He's already achieved remarkable things at a young age: regular player for the Spanish U19 team and first appearances in the Barcelona first team." - Schalke coach David Wagner
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