According to reports from the reliable Fabrizio Romano, the Catalan giants have officially appointed João Amaral as their new Head of Scouting—a move aimed at bolstering their talent search and recruitment strategy ahead of the new season.

Who is João Amaral?

Omo, this one sweet for gist lovers! João Amaral, a 38-year-old Portuguese director, has been making waves in the football world. He previously worked with Rio Ave in Portugal, spending the 2024/25 campaign at the Estádio dos Arcos.

During his time there, Amaral reportedly impressed with his sharp eye for talent and keen scouting abilities—enough to catch the attention of the top decision-makers at Barcelona.

Deco’s Influence Behind the Scenes

Now here’s where the gist gets hotter. Sources claim that Amaral’s appointment came after a personal recommendation from Deco, Barcelona’s sporting chief.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Deco and Amaral share a very close working relationship, with full trust between them. This connection allegedly played a huge role in sealing the deal.

“Barcelona complete appointment of João Amaral as new Head of Scouting with immediate effect. Former Rio Ave director has full trust from Deco as they share very close relationship,” Fabrizio Romano posted.

Why This Move Matters

Omo, Barcelona no dey joke this season! Strengthening the scouting department means the club is doubling down on spotting world-class talent early. With Amaral’s proven track record in player identification, this could be a game-changer for their recruitment strategy.