David Navarro Expósito was born February 7, 2003 in Barcelona. He began his footballing career at smaller youth clubs in Barcelona until in 2011 he was recruited by local side CE Sant Gabriel, the same team as current Cadet A teammate Alejandro Balde. Balde would leave the club that year, but Navarro remained and made his way up through the ranks. Playing as a defender, he became captain of the Infantil B before following Balde and making the jump to La Masia in 2016.
Navarro is the less heralded but elder of Cadet A’s regular centre-backs, starting alongside Diego Almeida. He may not have the same name recognition of his backline teammate, but Navarro does have the versatility to play at left-back if necessary. He was a standout player in the Mini Derbi in February against Espanyol. The game finished 1-1, but the right-footed Navarro had a successful showing alongside Balde and Almeida.
The 16-year-old has been on the radar of the Spanish youth teams, getting call-ups to the U-16s and U-17s alongside Balde and Jorge Alastuey. In February, he joined Txus Alba and Leo dos Reis with the Catalonia U-16s for some friendly action. Navarro could transform into one of those La Masia talents that doesn’t get much attention but like many centre-backs, could get to the next level as his footballing experiences grow.
