Xavi Espart tells Barcelona to 'stay calm' ahead of first El Clasico

The academy graduate, who has supported Barcelona since childhood, could experience one of the biggest moments of his young career when the Catalan club host their fierce rivals at the Spotify Camp Nou.

"I've been a Barca fan since I was a child. I've watched lots of Clasicos. I'm really looking forward to it and can't wait," Espart said on Barcelona's official channels.

The young full-back knows the occasion will bring enormous pressure, but he is confident he can handle the challenge if given the opportunity to play.

"Stay calm, have confidence in myself. I feel ready to play my first Clasico and I'm really looking forward to it," he said.

Espart has clear ambitions for the encounter, with his immediate focus on helping Barcelona secure victory against their biggest rivals.

"Firstly, to play in it and win it," he added.

The teenager also hopes to enjoy the atmosphere at the Spotify Camp Nou without allowing the significance of the fixture to distract him from his responsibilities on the pitch.

"It's important to go out there feeling calm. Once you're playing, there's no need to overthink things," Espart explained.

His comments reflect a determined approach as he prepares for a potential breakthrough in one of football's most celebrated rivalries.

Espart heads into the weekend with confidence after reaching another important milestone earlier this week. He scored his first Champions League goal against Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Tuesday.