Ilaix Moriba

Moriba Kourouma Kourouma (born 19 January 2003), known as Ilaix Moriba, is a Spanish footballer who plays for FC Barcelona Juvenil A as a central midfielder. Born in Guinea, Moriba represents Spain internationally.

Ilaix Moriba
Personal information
Full name Moriba Kourouma Kourouma
Date of birth (2003-01-19) 19 January 2003
Place of birth Conakry, Guinea
Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)
Playing position(s) Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 Barcelona Juvenil A
Youth career
2010– Barcelona
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019– Barcelona B 8 (1)
National team‡
2019– Spain U17 7 (2)
2019– Spain U18 2 (0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 19:25, 29 April 2020 (UTC)
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 19:25, 29 April 2020 (UTC)

Early and personal life

Moriba was born in Conakry, Guinea, from a Guinean mother and a Liberian father.[1] He holds both Spanish and Guinean citizenship.[2]

Club career

Moriba arrived at FC Barcelona in 2010. He has been considered as one of the best players of his generation, and he has very often played in categories of players far older than him.[3][4] Moriba really stood out at age 15 when he scored a hat-trick against the Real Madrid U19's.[5]

In January 2019, he renewed with the club, signing a new contract until 2022 with an annual salary close to €2 million and a buyout clause set at €100 million.[6]

During the 2019–20 campaign, he became a regular for the reserves and scored his first goal in a 3–2 victory against Llagostera CF.[7]

International career

Ilaix is a youth international with Spain, but both the Guinean and Liberian football federations have reportedly tried to get him to switch nationality.[2] He chose to play for the Guinea national team, being set to make his debut on the international stage in June 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic froze the 2020 football season.[8]

References
  1. Quaye, Peterking (May 27, 2018). "Manchester City Liberian young player Moriba Kourouma". Liberia Sports Online.
  2. Mognouma, ParLamine (9 July 2017). "Nouveau Talent : À quatorze ans, Moriba Kourouma s'impose au centre de formation du Barça". Guinée Foot (in French).
  3. name=br>Richard, Fitzpatrick (2019-10-25). "Ilaix Moriba: The 'Pogba of Barca' Destined for Greatness". Bleacher report.
  4. "Barça: Manchester city ,Chelsea et Juventus font le forcing pour Moriba kourouma". Guinée Actu Sport (in French). 2018-11-30.
  5. "Barcelona youth teamer Ilaix scores a hat-trick against Real Madrid". Marca. 2018-08-21.
  6. "Ilaix Moriba: Barcelona's 'new Pogba' closing in on a first-team debut". Goal. 16 April 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  7. "Barça B 3-2 Llagostera: License to dream". FC Barcelona. 8 March 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  8. Lantheaume, Romain (2020-03-20). "Barca : le prometteur Ilaix Moriba dit oui à la Guinee !". Afrik foot (in French).
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