Good to know: 10 facts on Ilaix Moriba

We have strengthened! On the last day of the transfer window Ilaix Moriba signed a five year contract with the Red Bulls to join the club from FC Barcelona.

We have put together ten interesting facts on our new wonderkid.

1. Nationality

Ilaix was born in Conakry, Guinea. Aged seven, he moved from his homeland to Barcelona’s La Masia academy. He has played in the U17 and U18 squads for the Spanish national team, but has chosen to play for Guinea’s full national team. He is yet to make an appearance.

2. Friends with Messi

Moriba learned from the best at FC Barcelona. His first goal in the Blaugrana shirt was set up by none other than Lionel Messi, in his third LaLiga appearance, a 2-0 win against CA Osasuna. With the goal, Moriba became the fifth-youngest goalscorer in the Catalan club’s history.

3.  No weak foot

On paper, Ilaix is right footed, but in reality that is not the whole story. He scored his first goal against Osasuna with his left, making it clear that he has no real ‘weak’ foot.

4. Pro debut aged 16

The central midfielder made his professional debut for FC Barcelona’s B squad, in Spanish football’s third division. The game came on September 7th 2019, when he was just 16 years of age. He scored his first professional goal in a 3-2 home win against UE Llagostera just over six months later, on March 8th 2020.

5. UEFA Champions League 

Despite his youth, Ilaix has experience at the very peak of European football. Last season, he came on as a substitute in the second leg of Barcelona’s quarter final against Paris St. Germain. The midfielder could do nothing to prevent the Blaugrana’s exit.

6. Full Name 

Our new signing’s full name is Moriba Kourouma Kourouma. The name ‘Ilaix’ was given to him by his father as it was his grandfather’s name. This is why Moriba also wears the name ‘Ilaix’ on the back of his shirt.

7. Effective everywhere

In an under-18 game between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Moriba looked up and tried a shot from the halfway line. It flew over the shocked Madrid keeper and into the net – the goal of his dreams! The game ended 5-0 to the Catalan club, with Moriba bagging himself a hat-trick.

8. Assist on debut

His LaLiga debut came in February 2021 against Deportivo Alaves, the midfielder creating a fine assist for teammate Fransisco Trincão. The game ended 5-1 in Barcelona’s favour.

9. No place for racism

Over the summer, Moriba was subject to racist abuse on social media. The midfielder showed the world this abuse on his TikTok channel, and received widespread support from the football world.

10. Already a winner

Despite his fledgling career, Ilaix has already won a title. On April 17th 2021 he picked up a champion’s medal for the Copa Del Rey, with a 4-0 victory against Athletic Bilbao.