Hafiz Gariba

Born January 9, 2007, Hafiz Gariba is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays as a center-back for FC Barcelona’s youth academy. He joined Barcelona’s Juvenil B (U18) side in February 2025 and was promoted to the U19 team in May. Known for his composure and technical qualities at the back, he is considered a promising talent at La Masia.

Early life and career: Gariba was born in Teshie, in the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. He started his football journey with Zinaps FC and then Villarreal CF Africa in Ghana. He later moved to Spain, joining CE Codolar and then the Marcet Soccer Academy in Barcelona, where he developed his skills.

Barcelona move: Barcelona scouts tracked Gariba at Marcet and were impressed by his technical ability and composure, leading to a three-year contract offer.

He signed with Barcelona on February 22, 2025, starting in Juvenil B and later moving to the Juvenil A (U19) team.

He admits that adapting to the differences in training and tactics at Barcelona compared to Africa has been challenging but is working hard to adjust.

He expressed a determination to fight for promotion to the senior team in the upcoming season.

Playing style: Gariba is primarily a left-footed center-back.

He is noted for his composure, technical ability, power, physicality, and athleticism. He is praised for his excellent anticipation and ability to recover from defensive errors.

He has also shown versatility, capable of playing as a defensive midfielder, central midfielder, and left-back.

Gariba featured for Barcelona’s U19 side in their 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain U19 in the UEFA Youth League in October 2025.

He has been performing well in pre-season friendlies for Barcelona Atlètic and has been named in the squad for matches with the reserve side.

Net Worth and Salary: Hafiz Gariba has an estimated net worth of $50,000.

Players at this stage of their career in youth academies, even prestigious ones like La Masia, typically receive much lower salaries compared to first-team professional players. While his talent and progression suggest he may command a significant salary in the future, his current earnings are likely minimal as he develops within the youth system.