Roony Bardghji: The Rising Star Redefining Barcelona’s Right Wing

In the world of elite football, few names carry as much excitement as Roony Bardghji. Often hailed as the “Swedish Messi,” the 20-year-old winger has successfully made the jump to FC Barcelona, where he is currently proving that his world-class potential was worth every bit of the hype.

The Move to Camp Nou

Following a historic stint in Denmark with FC Copenhagen, Bardghji signed a four-year contract with Barcelona in July 2025. Despite a serious knee injury that sidelined him for much of late 2024, his recovery has been nothing short of miraculous. By January 2026, he was officially registered as a first-team player, inheriting the number 19 shirt—a number famously once worn by Lionel Messi himself.

2025/2026 Season Highlights

Since joining Hansi Flick’s squad, Bardghji has become a vital “super-sub” and occasional starter, offering a unique tactical profile on the right flank.

• La Liga Impact: He scored his first goal for the club in a thrilling 5–3 victory over Real Betis in December 2025.
• Supercopa Success: Bardghji played a decisive role in the 2026 Supercopa de España, providing a goal and two assists in the semi-final against Athletic Bilbao before helping the team defeat Real Madrid in the final.
• Champions League Presence: His ability to cut inside on his left foot has added a new dimension to Barça’s European campaign, particularly in their recent victories against Slavia Prague and Olympiacos.

Style of Play: The Modern Inverted Winger

Bardghji is the quintessential modern winger. Standing at 1.73m, his low center of gravity allows for explosive direction shifts and elite close control. Unlike traditional wingers who stay wide, Roony excels at drifting into the “half-spaces,” creating overloads, and unleashing powerful shots from distance. His defensive work rate has also seen significant improvement under Flick, making him a complete package for the modern high-press system.

International Future with Sweden

Having made his senior debut for Sweden in October 2025, Bardghji is now a cornerstone of the national team’s future. As Sweden prepares for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, Bardghji is expected to be the primary creative engine alongside stars like Alexander Isak and Dejan Kulusevski.