MLS Draft Interview: Jesus Barea, Real Salt Lake

With the No. 19 pick in the 2025 MLS SuperDraft, Real Salt Lake selected Jesus Barea, a forward out of Missouri State.

Barea became the very first Bear to be drafted in the first round of the draft. He is the fifth overall, with Matt Pickens in 2004 being the most notable name.

"It's an honor for me," Barea said of the feat. "I'm really proud of myself and I also have to give credit to my teammates and all the coaching staff that gave the me the opportunity and put me in the best position to be successful. That's going to be part of the history forever. Being the first first round pick in the history of such a good program is again such an honor and I'm really proud for that achievement. I can't wait to get started on the next challenges."

In 2024, Barea scored 15 goals in his 18 matches. He grabbed four braces over the course of the season. He also added four assists. Barea had by far his best season of his Missouri State career, which flaunts 34 total goals. That tally is good for second in school history. He has the second-most starts and is sixth in assists in program history as well. Barea is a two-time Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year and three-time All-Conference Team member.

The Cadiz, Spain native came over to the States to attend Putnam Science Academy in Connecticut. He previously played in the youth ranks at Cadiz CF. Barea's soccer roots are in Spain, a country known much more for its interplay and build-up in attack. The game in America, especially college, is far different from what he grew up with.

"Some of the biggest differences in gameplay is physicality," Barea said. "I think I adapted really quickly because I went to the gym and I gained some muscle and that helped me develop as well as a player on the college level and I think it's going to help me as well on the next level. It's more direct football than Europe, in Europe we try to play a little more, here in the college level it's a lot of direct balls."

Barea is the type of attacker that if you give him space, it will likely be to your demise. He has elite placement on his strikes and is comfortable ripping them from deep. He also has the ability to drop deep into the midfield and spray balls out wide, allowing him to make streaking runs down the middle of the pitch. Additionally, Barea possesses blazing speed and keeps tight control on his dribble.

"I like to combine with players, link up play, I have a [nose] for goal, I like to drive at people," Barea said. "So, the fans are going to enjoy my game and I'm going to enjoy their support and I can't wait to get started."