Abdul Aziz Issah: Barcelona Reportedly Takes Ruthless Decision on Ghanaian Gem

Abdul Aziz Issah: Barcelona Reportedly Takes Ruthless Decision on Ghanaian Gem

  • Abdul Aziz Issah's Barcelona journey began with high hopes but ended quietly, as the club chose not to activate his buyout clause
  • Despite dazzling performances at the 2025 U-20 AFCON for Ghana, Issah’s resurgence failed to sway Barcelona’s technical staff
  • His time in Catalonia ends in disappointment, but scouts and clubs are still tracking his potential

FC Barcelona has reportedly decided against activating the purchase option for Ghanaian midfield talent Abdul Aziz Issah.

The decision brings a sudden halt to what appeared to be a promising European chapter for the 19-year-old, who joined on loan from Ghana Premier League side Dreams FC in September 2024.

FC Barcelona, Abdul Aziz Issah, Dreams FC, La Masia
Abdul Aziz Issah pictured with Lamine Yamal (left) at Barcelona. Image credit: @BarcaUniversal, @FCBarcelona
Source: Twitter

Abdul Aziz Issah's lack of playing time at Barcelona

When Issah arrived at La Masia, there was genuine excitement surrounding the move. His performances in the GPL had marked him as a dynamic and technically gifted midfielder with a high ceiling.

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That enthusiasm intensified when he was spotted training with Barcelona’s first team under new manager Hansi-Dieter Flick, just weeks after his arrival.

However, this early exposure to top-level training did not translate into competitive opportunities.

Despite Barcelona's midfield injury woes and a clear need for depth, Issah was consistently omitted from matchday squads.

His total minutes in competitive play for Barcelona Atletic were a mere 26 minutes across two matches, per Transfermarkt, which paints a picture of a player who never truly got the chance to showcase his abilities.

Aziz Issah shines at U-20 Africa Cup of Nations

While his time in Catalonia was marked by obscurity, Issah's performances with the Ghana U-20 national team told a different story.

At the 2025 U-20 Africa Cup of Nations, he emerged as one of Ghana’s brightest sparks, drawing praise for top displays and tireless work rate.

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Abdul Aziz Issah, Ghana U20, FC Barcelona, Dreams FC
Abdul Aziz Issah. Image credit: ghanafaofficial
Source: Twitter

His performance reignited conversations around his potential and highlighted the disconnect between his international form and club fortunes.

Fans saw a player who thrived under pressure and possessed a maturity beyond his years, qualities that Barcelona’s struggling midfield could have benefited from during the 2024/25 season.

Yet, despite renewed interest in his progress, Barcelona’s technical staff reportedly remained unconvinced.

Will Barcelona release Abdul Aziz Issah?

According to Diario Sport, Barcelona’s decision not to trigger the buyout clause is one that could be scrutinised in hindsight.

Issah's technical skill set, quick feet, intelligent passing, and positional awareness align well with the club’s playing philosophy.

Given Barcelona's rich history of offering opportunities to young, talented players, many Ghanaian fans are amazed by the emerging news of the La Liga side on the brink of letting the Ghanaian prodigy leave without being handed real opportunities.

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Two Barcelona players fall from open-top bus celebration

YEN.com.gh earlier reported an unfortunate but hilarious incident involving two Barcelona players, defender Inigo Martinez and Ronaldo Araujo, who fell from the team's open-top, bus trophy parade.

The funny moment got most of the squad in stitches as Hansi Flick's side celebrated their 2024/25 La Liga title.

This follows another amusing episode concerning Lamine Yamal who introduced himself to some strangers as ''Ryan''.

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Gariba Raubil avatar

Gariba Raubil (Sports Editor) Gariba Raubil is a skilled content writer and journalist with over 14 years of experience in sports journalism. He is a CAF and FIFA-accredited reporter and has been a member of the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) since 2020. He has covered several international tournaments including two All Africa Games in 2015 and 2023. He also reported on the 2017 CAF Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon and the 2018 Women’s AFCON. Email: gariba.raubil@yen.com.gh

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