Barcelona youngsters to receive new Champions League Debut Patch against Feyenoord

Barcelona youngsters to receive new Champions League Debut Patch against Feyenoord Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League campaign will begin with a potentially memorable night for two of their younger players, as Hamza Abdelkarim and Brian Farinas could make their first appearances in the competition against Feyenoord on Wednesday. For 18-year-old Abdelkarim and 20-year-old Farinas, it could be the start of a personal Champions League chapter, as they will have a new piece of UEFA memorabilia to mark the occasion. As per Mundo Deportivo , both players are eligible for the Champions League Debut Patch, a new initiative introduced this season to recognise footballers making their first appearance in the competition. Abdelkarim and Farinas ready for a special debut Abdelkarim is registered on Barcelona’s List A for the Champions League , while Farinas has been included on List B as an academy player. If either player steps onto the pitch against Feyenoord, whether from the start or as a substitute, the blue Debut Patch will be attached to the Champions League Starball badge on their shirt sleeve. The initiative has been launched by UEFA and UC3 in collaboration with Topps, giving first-time Champions League players a distinctive way to mark a milestone that can become particularly meaningful in a young footballer’s career. For Barcelona, Abdelkarim and Farinas are the two currently available squad members who could make their competition debuts on Wednesday. More Barcelona youngsters could receive the patch The two players may not be the only Barcelona representatives to receive the special recognition this season. As per the outlet, Jesse Bisiwu, who is registered on List A, and Ebrima Tunkara have already participated in the UEFA photoshoot and could potentially feature in European competition once available. Several other academy players are also eligible for the initiative if they are called upon.  Brian Farinas and Hamza Abdelkarim could feature the Debut patch. (Photo by Timothy Rogers/Getty Images) Jordi Pesquer and goalkeepers Eder Aller and Iker Rodriguez could all receive the patch should they make their Champions League debuts. More to the story Notably, once a player makes his debut, the blue patch is removed from the match-worn shirt and certified. It is then securely packaged alongside a certificate of authenticity before being transferred to Topps. The company will use the patch to create a unique collectable card, which will subsequently be signed by the player. For Abdelkarim and Farinas, the first objective will be to get onto the pitch against Feyenoord.  But should either youngster achieve that milestone, their first Champions League appearance could eventually become a unique piece of football memorabilia.