Bojan aims to come of age in Rome

Lifting the European Champion Clubs' Cup would represent the perfect rite of passage for FC Barcelona's 18-year-old forward Bojan Krkić.

With honours
That dream scenario could become reality for the teenager from the Barcelona academy as he aims to come fully of age as a footballer in Wednesday's UEFA Champions League final in Rome. La Masia graduate Bojan intends to complete his education by helping Josep Guardiola's team past Manchester United FC and to a famous treble of Spanish Liga, Copa del Rey and European Cup.

Treble chance
"We have a chance of the treble, which would be brilliant," Bojan told uefa.com. "We are close now but have to keep going until the very end. The European Cup is the biggest trophy out there and everyone wants to win it. For me to do so at the age of 18 would be awesome."

United in opposition
Part one of Barcelona's trophy trilogy came with their 4-1 dismantling of Athletic Club Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final on 13 May. Bojan scored his tenth goal of the season, having made a rare start in the match staged in Valencia. Three days later Barcelona were crowned Spanish champions after their nearest challengers, Real Madrid CF, lost. Now only Manchester United can deny them the treble. "United also have great players and they have the chance to win the Champions League for the second year running. They are a complete team," added the striker of Barça's opponents at the Stadio Olimpico.

Togetherness
The team ethic is not lost on Bojan who, in his second senior campaign with the Blaugrana, has begun only four matches from a total of 21 Liga outings. "I haven't played so much but I am still experiencing a brilliant season – winning so many matches, being part of this team, living these great occasions," he said. "We are a group and don't depend on one individual. A lot of football is in the head – you need everyone pulling together and behaving correctly. All successful teams have this. It requires a level of sacrifice from every player, on and off the pitch, but if you get that, that one extra per cent will be rewarded."

Development
So if Bojan's goals and games statistics are down on last term, he also appreciates the privileged position he occupies as a rising star at Camp Nou. "Although I haven't started many games, the club have shown confidence in me," he explained. "When I've had chances, I've scored goals, so I keep growing in confidence. The coach tells me he believes in me, that I'm an important player and that I have to keep working to improve. The gaffer's been brilliant – he's done a magnificent job in his first season and we're one game away from winning practically everything."

High praise
Success is not the only source of pride at Barcelona, however. Bojan, who will represent Spain at this summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship in Sweden, also extols the values instilled in the young men of La Masia. "Barcelona is not just a club that wins trophies and produces great players – it also has a special structure, a way of being and doing things that is exemplary," he continued. "La Masia, the club's academy, was home to me. I learned so much there. It is fantastic that so many players from the academy are doing well in the first team. Our squad is full of great players, but [Lionel] Messi, [Andrés] Iniesta and Xavi [Hernández] are particularly brilliant for the way they've come through."