Eighteen-year-old Barcelona winger Jesse Bisson says the club’s leading players have made it easy for him to settle in after he initially felt overwhelmed by training alongside stars including Yamal and Raphinha.
Bisson is currently with the Belgium U21 national team during the international break and discussed his early experience at Barcelona in an interview with Belgian regional television ROBtv.
He said the presence of established first-team players was a surprise when he first arrived, but that feeling quickly faded once he entered the dressing room.
“Football stars are actually just normal young people, and they are all very friendly,” Bisson said.
The teenager was also struck by how naturally he was accepted by his team-mates. He identified Raphinha as a particularly important influence since his move to the club, saying the Brazilian has taken an active interest in his progress and adaptation.
“As captain, Raphinha makes sure to know how I’m doing and how I feel at the club,” Bisson said.
Bisson is currently closest to Karim Adeyemi, De Jong and Kounde, with the group’s shared language helping to bring them together.
“Right now, I mostly spend time with them,” he said.
Language remains one of the main factors shaping Bisson’s relationships within the squad. He is still learning Spanish, making English the easier option when communicating with team-mates at this stage of his development.
Belgium U21 call-up adds to progress
Bisson’s inclusion in the Belgium U21 national team represents another stage in his development at Barcelona. He is being managed between the club’s first team and Barca Atletic, while continuing to develop under head coach Flick.
The winger has previously said Barcelona have a clear long-term plan for his career at the club.
“Barcelona has a five-year plan for me,” Bisson said.
His current involvement with the first team and Barca Atletic comes as he continues to adapt to the demands of Barcelona while building experience at international youth level.
