Barcelona's latest La Masia graduate has made it clear he's not going anywhere. After a surprise debut against Deportivo Alaves, 21-year-old Alvaro Cortes is dreaming of a long future at Camp Nou.

When Hansi Flick named his starting lineup for the clash with Alaves, few expected to see Cortes' name on the team sheet. But the young defender, who had been knocking on the first-team door for weeks, grabbed his chance with both hands. Despite Barcelona falling to defeat, Cortes was a rare bright spot—composed, mature in defense, and confident in possession.

"I remember getting nervous. I think that's normal; making your debut for the best club in the world is what it's all about," Cortes told the club after the match. "I took it in my stride, talking to my family and teammates who helped me a lot. I tried to do what I usually do in matches, and I was lucky that it went well."

For the Barça Atletic captain, the moment hasn't quite sunk in yet. "I still haven't fully realized what's happened. For me, it was a dream. I try to talk about it with my family and friends to grasp the magnitude of it, but I still haven't fully realized that I've made my debut for Barça."

Cortes revealed that Flick's pre-match advice was simple but effective: play like you train. "When Flick told me I was starting, he advised me to play just as I had in training, because I'd improved a lot over the past few weeks with the team. He told me he had a lot of faith in me, with and without the ball. It's the style of play we're taught here, and I found it very easy to play alongside my teammates."

As for what comes next, Cortes is keeping his focus firmly on Barcelona. "I'd love to stay at Barça. I'm under contract, and I'd love to stay for as long as possible." For a La Masia product who has waited patiently for his chance, those words will be music to the ears of fans and coaches alike.