Following his electrifying cameo against the Catalan giants, Barcelona manager Xavi praised Central Coast Mariners youngster Garang Kuol’s talent.

Kuol was a member of the Dwight Yorke-coached A-League All Stars, who were defeated 3-2 at Stadium Australia on Wednesday.

Despite the fact that the 17-year-old has yet to start an A-League Men match, he has already scored four goals in nine substitute appearances.

His senior career minutes totaled a little over three hours prior to Wednesday night, and his Wikipedia page was only two paragraphs long.

But he looked well at home in front of 70,174 supporters, taking on the likes of Sergio Busquets and Dani Alves, and his pace caused problems for the Barcelona defense.

When he found himself clear through on goal in the 66th minute, the teenager nearly put the All Stars up 3-1, and he also hit the woodwork late in the game.

“Dwight told me he was 16 or 17… it was a big surprise,” Xavi said.

“He was very fast and we conceded two or three chances because of him.

“He’s a great player and he has a great future, he is a talent that is obvious.”

While Kuol’s ascension may come too late for Australia’s World Cup qualifiers next month, if Graham Arnold or his replacement as Socceroos coach were looking for a true game-changer, they could do a lot worse than consider him.

Yorke, who has agreed to take command of Macarthur FC and will coach against Kuol domestically next season, was equally complimentary of his abilities.

“I didn’t know too much about him until I saw him close up and even then I was a little bit unsure,” Yorke said.

“We’ve had very limited time together, but you can see the talent that exists. He does surprise me, he certainly did surprise Barcelona.

“He should have got two goals and I’m pleased that the public gets to see him because he’s one for the future.”

A-League’s best put up a good show against Euro giants

The A-League’s best who were playing their first game since 2014, did well, with Reno Piscopo, a departing Wellington winger, standing out after contributing a goal and an assist in the defeat.

To be fair to the All Stars, this was not a second-rate Barcelona team, since five of Xavi’s starting XI were players who started Sunday’s loss to Villarreal.

In the opening five minutes, Alejandro Balde put Macarthur goalkeeper Filip Kurto into action, prompting seasoned Dani Alves and Sergio Busquets to exercise their muscles.

Jay O’Shea of Brisbane and Jason Cummings of the Socceroos both had chances to put the All Stars up, but neither could beat Marc-André ter Stegen.

Barca controlled but couldn’t break through in the first half hour, so fans erupted in spontaneous versions of the Mexican wave to keep their minds occupied.

When Central Coast defender Kye Rowles was beaten by Busquets, the All Stars’ concentration lapsed for a brief moment, and Ousmane Dembélé scored the game’s first goal within three passes.

Two minutes after halftime, a similar story unfolded, but this time the All Stars were the winners.

Daniel Penha of Newcastle sent a bending pass behind the Barca defense for Anthony Caceres to grasp onto, and while his effort was saved by substitute goalkeeper Aranau Tenas, an onrushing Piscopo poked home.

ADAMA TRAORE GIVES THE ALL STARS THE LEAD!!!!

Piscopo turns provider and Adama Traore finds the back of the net! 🥅#BarcaInSydney #AASvFCB pic.twitter.com/37SsKpwZ8V

— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) May 25, 2022

The All Stars kept their foot on the throat with a second goal six minutes later in a similar fashion.

Piscopo was brought in this time, and he squared to Western Sydney’s Adama Traoré to give Yorke’s team a 2-1 lead.

When Kuol was played in, he came close to making it three, but he misfired.

Yorke’s team would be undone when substitute All Stars goalkeeper Andrew Redmayne was unable to keep out Barcelona’s own Adama Traoré, who brought Barca level with 20 minutes remaining.

ANSU FATI!!

Advertisement

Barcelona now lead 3-2 after a composed finish from their number 🔟#AASvFCB #BarcaInSydney pic.twitter.com/2mJVu517hw

— 10 Football (@10FootballAU) May 25, 2022

Barca appeared to get into overdrive after the hit, and they took the lead when wunderkind Ansu Fati caressed the ball past Redmayne from close range.

In the dying minutes, Kuol hit the crossbar, but the All Stars were unable to produce an equalizer.