The 19-year-old's transfer from FC Copenhagen to one of the world's biggest clubs was overshadowed by all the twists and turns surrounding Alexander Isak's and Viktor Gyökeres' club changes. Yet, Bardghji was perhaps the biggest transfer bomb of the summer.
And the notion that Barcelona recruited him to put him on so-called development in the club's second team... it's nothing but a fabrication.
Bardghji is incredulous to the reports.
Who said I would play in the B-team? It's not true, he says.
It's enough to check the statistics since Barcelona registered him for league play about a month ago.
Starts: 58 minutes against Real Sociedad, 45 minutes against Valencia.
Substitutions: 22 minutes against Sevilla, 15 minutes against Getafe.
”Like a father”
The club believes in me, the coach believes in me, my teammates believe in me. It's not like I'm shocked that I get to play, but I'm incredibly happy.
He thanks coach Hansi Flick, 60, for making his transition into the Catalan giant club so smooth. Bardghji praises the German's leadership. Flick is strict about discipline – but also has a warm embrace.
He's particular about being on time, but he's a fantastic person. Good with everyone, knows how to talk to players. He's like a friend, like a father. It's something I've never experienced before.
National team coach Jon Dahl Tomasson wanted to assess Bardghji up close already during the gathering in June. Then, various setbacks stopped him.
Now he's here – and the question is, of course, whether "JDT" thinks he can contribute against Switzerland and Kosovo. Carefree and talented with a charming rather than cocky self-confidence, Bardghji raises his hand and announces that he's ready.
Ready to contribute directly
He has a clear picture of where he fits best in the national team.
As a "tia". It's my position, it would suit me perfectly. I like that position. But I can play anything. My goal is to help the national team. We're going to the World Championship.
Expectations?
Just to win matches. It's important now to win after the first matches that didn't go so well.
Can you get playing time, do you think?
It's up to the coach. I'm ready, I'm in good shape, he says.
Despite being in the national team for the first time, he already feels at home in the national team environment.
It's a nice gang, many old friends I've played with in the youth teams. It's fun to see them again.
Born: November 15, 2005 (19 years old) in Kuwait City, Kuwait.
Club: FC Barcelona.
Parent club: Kallinge SK.
Other clubs: Rödeby AIF, Malmö FF, FC Copenhagen.
National team matches/goals: 0/0.
Other: Came to Sweden at the age of six. At 16 years and 199 days old, he made his debut for the U21 national team in 2022 and became the youngest of all time. At the same time, he broke Alexander Isak's record from 2016.
Current: Selected for the national team squad for the first time, for the World Championship qualifier against Switzerland in Solna on Friday and against Kosovo in Gothenburg on Monday.
