A picture of Barcelona youngster Riqui Puig from a recent training session has gone viral on social media, with many fans comparing his look to a young Robin van Persie. Can you see it?
The 21-year-old midfielder has been taking part in pre-season training as the Catalan giants prepare for their opening game of the season against Real Sociedad on August 15.
Puig, who made 24 appearances in all competitions for Barca last season, will be hoping to break into Ronald Koeman’s first-team plans as they try and lift their first La Liga title since 2019.
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| Image credit: PA |
As the likes of Antoine Griezmann and Frenkie de Jong returned to full-time training at the Ciutat Esportiva facility, the talented Puig smiled for the camera – but little did he know that he would soon become a viral sensation.
Barcelona’s official Twitter account posted the snap of the Spanish U21 international on their newsfeed and it quickly drew comparisons to former Arsenal and Manchester United striker Robin van Persie.
In fact, some joked that Puig was doing his best Van Persie impression so Dutch manager Ronald Koeman would give him minutes.
I swear this was Van Persie at first glance https://t.co/Yw3RygaekU
— Jack Kenmare (@jackkenmare_) July 28, 2021
Here are some of the best reactions from Puig’s recent picture. Van Persie even became a trend on Twitter in the late hours of Tuesday night, with Barcelona teammate Gerard Pique getting involved in the comparisons.
Even the man himself wishes his ‘son’ good luck for the new season.
Good luck this season son 🤣👀🤔@RiquiPuig https://t.co/wU0CEvTgLx
— Robin van Persie (@Persie_Official) July 28, 2021
Van Persie
— Gerard Piqué (@3gerardpique) July 27, 2021
Riqui Puig doing his best Van Persie impression so Koeman would give him minutes 🇳🇱💀 https://t.co/aLMzKkRv4e
— 🪄🇳🇱 (@FDJChief) July 28, 2021
Van Persie is trending because of Riqui Puig’s picture😂. The resemblance in that shot is crazy.
— Nana😹🔰 (@qwofyelement) July 28, 2021
Riqui Puig haciéndose pasar por Van Persie por ser holandés para conseguir más minutos esta temporada. STONKS. pic.twitter.com/MxSTdimnV9
— Kratos Culé (@KratosCule) July 28, 2021
I can’t unsee Van Persie😂
— Kieren (@KierenHassan) July 28, 2021
Away from the Van Persie comparisons and Puig is eager to make an impact ahead of the new campaign.
“I am really happy,” he told Barça TV. “I was desperate to get back on the grass.
“It’s true we don’t have long holidays as footballers, but this year I had over a month and I am really happy to be back at the training ground with my teammates and doing what I most like.
“We have a month to prepare for the start of the league and we’re building a really competitive team. We’ve got young players, we all want to win a lot of trophies and we’re excited for the season to begin.”
📸 Riqui au second entraînement d’aujourd’hui ! pic.twitter.com/FrauQU1fAY
— 𝐑𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐢 𝐏𝐮𝐢𝐠 🇫🇷🍿 (@RiquiPuigFR) July 27, 2021
Do you think Puig deserves a place in Barcelona’s starting XI when they return to action?
Let us know in the comments.