How reserve keeper Jordi Masip puts his life and soul into each training session

When Luis Enrique is asked about his goalkeepers, he always takes advantage of the opportunity to bring up Jordi Masip. It was his decision to put the youngster in the first team squad. He has known Masip from the Barca B side and was convinced that he could contribute to the first team. However, Masip has played just one game, in the Copa del Rey at Camp Nou against Huesca. Enrique said in a press conference: "For me, as a coach, it's a disgrace that I can't give more minutes to all of them."

But Jordi Masip, despite logical disappointment at not playing, does not surrender. He does not throw in the towel. The goalkeeper, even though an opportunity does not arrive, puts his life and soul into each training session. This has been going on since the start of the season. He values being able to train with the best players in the world, each day learning more and trying to be a better goalkeeper than he already is. His relationship with Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Claudio Bravo is unbeatable. The Chilean firstly, as they share the same language, but also with Ter Stegen because of their similar ages, and the fact the German is improving his Spanish. As well as these two, Masip spends time with Martin Montoya, Sergi Roberto and Rafinha - those he played with at Barca B.

Beyond his peers, there is one key person that has helped Masip stay "plugged in", ready for the opportunity to play. Jose Ramon De la Fuente, the goalkeeping coach. He pushes Masip, as if the stopper were to be playing in every game, without giving any respite. It is with him he talks most and the coach has the words of encouragement for him, when he needs them. Masip is thankful to the point of considering the coach the best he has ever had in his career. 

The will of Masip is to be ready for when Luis Enrique deems necessary, not just on a mental level but a physical level too. From the start of the season the technical body has prepared him a specific training plan, above all, to build muscle. He has spent hours upon hours in the gym and his body has noticed it. Since he has arrived in the first team squad he has put on bulk while losing some weight. Masip is more slender, more agile, and faster thanks to this plan he is following. It is his first year in Barcelona's first team squad, surrounded by great players, in which he can consider other footballers as coaches too. So, beyond his lack of playing time, he is satisfied because, at 26 years, whatever happens in the future, he has taken advantage of the opportunity to improve on the goalkeeper he was at Barca B.

Jordi Masip is not a dreamer, he understands that to play this season will be very difficult. But he knows as well that his obligation is to take on each training session thinking that he may be starting in the next game.