Ivan Fresneda is back on Barcelona’s radar after making his senior Spain debut alongside former youth international team-mate Lamine Yamal.
The 22-year-old full-back was once regarded as one of the most promising young defenders in La Liga, having impressed during his breakthrough season with Real Valladolid in 2022-23.
Fresneda’s performances prompted speculation linking him with Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal. “Everyone would like to go to the best teams in the world and that is one of my ambitions, of course,” he said at the time.
Born in Madrid, Fresneda spent four years in Real Madrid’s La Fabrica academy before continuing his development at Leganes and Valladolid. His potential was particularly evident in a performance against his former club, when he was assigned to deal with Vinicius Junior.
Valladolid kept Carlo Ancelotti’s side without a goal for more than 80 minutes before eventually losing 2-0. The club were later relegated, finishing only three points behind 13th in a closely fought battle to avoid the drop.
When Valladolid’s relegation was confirmed, Fresneda appeared certain to move on. Instead of joining one of Spain’s traditional giants or a Premier League club such as Aston Villa or Newcastle United, he moved to Sporting.
The transfer offered a clear footballing opportunity. Sporting had ended a long wait for a Primeira Liga title, were developing an ambitious project and could provide Fresneda with European football. However, his progress in Lisbon initially stalled.
A shoulder injury ruled him out for several months, while he did not appear a natural fit as a wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s system. During Sporting’s second successive league title-winning campaign under Amorim, Fresneda made only five substitute appearances, playing 35 minutes in his first season.
He was used more regularly the following year and scored three goals, but remained a peripheral figure, making just 11 league starts. The speculation surrounding his future also faded, and he stopped appearing for Spain’s youth teams.
Fresneda began to rebuild his reputation last season with regular outings for Spain Under-21s and Sporting in the Primeira Liga. He also started 10 Champions League matches, including Sporting’s win over PSG, their five-goal comeback against Bodo/Glimt and the first leg of their narrow quarter-final defeat by Arsenal.
That run of high-profile matches led to his long-awaited senior Spain debut under Luis de la Fuente, his former youth-level manager. Fresneda came on in a routine 3-1 victory over Czechia.
“I’ve had a very good few weeks, learning a lot, enjoying myself a lot with the group,” he said.
“I have a very good relationship with Pedro Porro, it seems like I’ve been following him for a while now, I learn a lot from him, and of course if anyone wants to go to the Valladolid youth academy and Sporting de Portugal.”
His performance was understated but assured. Fresneda played behind Yamal on the right and had a close view of the Barcelona winger’s superb early goal. “I was blown away,” he said afterwards.
Barcelona are now reportedly interested once again. Fresneda’s development was delayed, but his path is beginning to resemble the one anticipated when he first emerged at Valladolid. His progress could soon give Jules Kounde increased competition at right-back.
