Overview
Carles Pérez Sayol, born on 16 February 1998 in Granollers, Spain, is a professional footballer primarily operating as a forward. Standing at 1.73 meters, Pérez is recognized for his technical proficiency and ability to play across the attacking line, particularly on the right wing where he can cut inside onto his stronger left foot. His formative years were spent within the renowned La Masia academy of FC Barcelona, a system celebrated for developing technically gifted players. This upbringing instilled a strong foundation in possession-based football and intricate passing.
Position
Pérez is predominantly deployed as a right-winger, a role that allows him to utilize his dribbling skills and vision to create chances. He is adept at receiving the ball wide, driving towards the byline for a cross, or drifting centrally to link up with midfielders and attempt shots. While his primary position is on the right, he has also shown versatility in playing on the left wing or even as a central attacking midfielder, adapting to various tactical setups. His understanding of space and movement off the ball is a testament to his comprehensive footballing education.
Identity
Often described as a 'technical winger with a keen eye for goal,' Pérez's identity on the pitch is characterized by his composure in possession and his capacity to deliver decisive passes or finishes. His playing style reflects the Spanish tradition of combining flair with tactical discipline. He is not solely a creator; his goal-scoring ability, particularly from cutting in from the right flank, adds another dimension to his offensive contributions. This blend of creativity and directness makes him a consistent threat in the final third.
Career path
Carles Pérez's football journey began in the youth ranks of his local club, Vilanova i la Geltrú, before moving to the esteemed La Masia academy of FC Barcelona in 2012. He progressed through various youth categories, demonstrating his potential as an attacking player. His performances for the youth teams earned him a call-up to Barcelona B, the club's reserve team, where he made his debut in 2017. He became a key player for Barcelona B, contributing significantly in the Segunda División B.
FC Barcelona Senior Team (2019-2020)
Pérez made his senior team debut for FC Barcelona on 19 May 2019, coming on as a substitute in a La Liga match against Eibar. His breakthrough season came in 2019-2020, where he made several appearances for the first team, including in the UEFA Champions League. He scored his first senior goal for Barcelona in a league match against Real Betis on 25 August 2019. Despite his promising displays, competition for places in Barcelona's star-studded attack was intense.
AS Roma (2020-2022)
In January 2020, Carles Pérez moved to Italian Serie A club AS Roma, initially on loan with an obligation to buy. The transfer was made permanent in the summer of 2020. At Roma, he continued to develop his game, adapting to the tactical demands of Italian football. He featured regularly in Serie A and the UEFA Europa League, contributing goals and assists. His time in Rome provided him with consistent senior football experience in a major European league, as documented by his transfer history on Transfermarkt's Carles Pérez profile.
Celta Vigo (2022-Present)
After two and a half seasons with AS Roma, Pérez returned to Spain in August 2022, joining Celta Vigo on loan. The move was made permanent in July 2023, signaling his desire for a more prominent role and consistent playing time in La Liga. At Celta Vigo, he has established himself as an important attacking option, utilizing his experience from both La Liga and Serie A to influence matches. His transfer details and career chronology are comprehensively listed on Carles Pérez's Wikipedia page.
Playing style
Carles Pérez's playing style is characterized by his technical finesse, close control, and intelligent movement, hallmarks of a player developed in the La Masia system. As a left-footed right-winger, his primary attacking threat comes from cutting inside onto his preferred foot to shoot or create opportunities. His dribbling ability allows him to beat defenders in one-on-one situations, often using quick changes of pace and direction to open up space.
His vision and passing range are also notable attributes. Pérez is capable of delivering incisive through balls and crosses into the box, frequently looking to connect with teammates in dangerous areas. While not possessing elite pace, his acceleration over short distances is effective in evading markers. His offensive contributions are supported by a decent work rate, where he tracks back to assist his full-back, demonstrating an understanding of defensive responsibilities, as observed in detailed player statistics on Carles Pérez's FBref statistics.
Comparisons can be drawn to players who excel in similar wide attacking roles, such as a younger Suso or even some aspects of Pedro Rodríguez's game during his Barcelona tenure, particularly in their ability to score from wide positions and contribute defensively. Pérez's decision-making in the final third has matured throughout his career, leading to more consistent end product. His shot selection and ability to find the target have also improved, making him a more reliable goal threat.
According to advanced metrics, Pérez often ranks well in progressive carries and successful dribbles per 90 minutes, highlighting his direct contribution to moving the ball into dangerous attacking zones. His involvement in build-up play, combined with his finishing touches, makes him a versatile forward capable of both creating and converting chances, as reflected in comprehensive player data by Sofascore's Carles Pérez profile.
Achievements & honours
Carles Pérez has accumulated several team honors during his career, primarily stemming from his time at FC Barcelona and AS Roma. While individual accolades have been fewer, his contributions to team success have been significant.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| FC Barcelona | La Liga | 2018–19 |
| AS Roma | UEFA Europa Conference League | 2021–22 |
His most notable club achievement came with FC Barcelona, where he was part of the squad that won the La Liga title in the 2018–19 season. Although he made limited appearances that season, his involvement in the squad contributed to the triumph. Later, during his spell with AS Roma, Pérez was a member of the team that secured the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League title in the 2021–22 season, a significant European honor for the Italian club, as detailed on UEFA's Roma Europa Conference League history.
These team successes highlight his presence in competitive environments and his ability to contribute to winning squads. While he hasn't received numerous individual awards, his consistent development and role in these title-winning campaigns underscore his value as a professional footballer.
International career
Carles Pérez has represented Spain at various youth levels, showcasing his talent from a young age within the national team setup. He has played for Spain's U16, U17, U18, and U21 teams, gaining valuable international experience and contributing to their campaigns.
His most significant involvement at the youth international level was with the Spain U21 squad. He featured in qualification matches for the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, demonstrating his ability to perform on a broader stage. While he was part of a strong cohort of Spanish youth players, he did not participate in a major tournament final for the U21s. His youth international caps are recorded on various football statistics platforms.
As of May 2026, Carles Pérez has not yet received a senior cap for the Spain national football team. The competition for attacking positions within the Spanish squad is consistently high, with numerous talented players vying for selection. Despite his consistent performances at club level in both La Liga and Serie A, a call-up to the senior national team has remained elusive. His focus continues to be on performing strongly for his club, Celta Vigo, with the aspiration of eventually earning senior international recognition. The official records for Spain's national team selections are maintained by the Royal Spanish Football Federation and are often summarized by FIFA's international football records.
What makes Carles Pérez stand out
Carles Pérez distinguishes himself through his blend of technical proficiency and tactical intelligence. His ability to consistently deliver accurate crosses and through balls from wide areas, combined with his knack for cutting inside and finding the net, makes him a dual threat. He possesses a calm demeanor under pressure, often making good decisions in crowded attacking zones.
One of his standout traits is his close control and dribbling, particularly in tight spaces, allowing him to navigate past defenders and maintain possession in advanced positions. His signature move often involves receiving the ball on the right wing, taking a touch to set himself, and then either driving towards the box or delivering a precise pass. This combination of individual skill and team play makes him a valuable asset in offensive schemes.
"Carles is a player with great quality and a very good understanding of the game. He always works hard for the team."