Since the Court of Arbitration for Sport denied Luis Suarez’s appeal of his four-month ban, Barcelona’s new manager Luis Enrique still has to wait a little over one month before he can field a first-team squad that boasts the forward combination of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Suarez. The Uruguayan striker will be eligible to make his La Liga debut in the Blaugrana shirt against Real Madrid on October 25.

In the meantime, 19-year-old Munir El Haddadi has taken advantage of the Uruguay international’s absence and is presenting Luis Enrique with a tough decision to make once Suarez returns from his ban.

Munir has rocketed to fame over the past few months. Another product of Barcelona’s La Masia, the young forward has risen rapidly through the club’s and Spanish national team’s ranks.

Born from Moroccan parents, Munir was originally the property of Atletico Madrid. But the player’s time within Atletico’s youth system was brief as he began attracting attention from other European clubs as soon as he stepped foot on a Spanish pitch.

Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Arsenal and Real Madrid were all rumored to be interested in securing his rights.

Speculation was Munir had grown up as a fan of Los Blancos, but the young forward signed with Barcelona and is now in line to become another legendary product of the Spanish club’s famed youth academy.

The 19-year-old rose through the Spanish side’s ranks and led Barcelona’s B team to the UEFA Youth League tournament last season. His two goals against Benfica helped his team beat Benfica 3-0 in the finals; his goal from behind the halfway line went viral and announced his arrival on the world scene.

Munir made his debut with the Spanish national team’s senior squad on September 8, after coming on as a substitute during La Roja’s 5-1 victory over Macedonia. This summer, he made his senior squad debut during Barcelona’s pre-season and scored four times; including twice off the bench against Club Leon at the Camp Nou.

To this point, Munir has featured in all three of the club’s La Liga fixtures and netted his first goal in Barcelona’s opening match against Elche.

It’s not just the forward’s goal scoring that is impressing his manager and fans of Spanish football. Munir has shown a toughness and maturity not seen from many players of his age. With every match, the 19-year-old appears determined to prove that he is going to be the next great player to don the Blaugrana shirt; taking the baton from Messi, Iniesta, Xavi and Cruyff.

Munir also displays an understanding of Barcelona’s philosophy that rivals the club’s longer serving members. And as of right now, it appears that his teammates are enjoying playing alongside of him.

This weekend, before being substituted for by Neymar, Munir could have easily had a handful of goals against Athletic Bilbao. The young forward was teaming up with Messi to give Bilbao’s defence major fits before bowing out to his Brazilian teammate; who would then scored a brace in the final 27 minutes.

(Excuse the screeching of BeinSPORTS’ Ray Hudson)

When it comes down to it, Munir is a Masia graduate and has flourished in the club’s system since his arrival. Should he continue along his current trajectory, Munir is going to present Luis Enrique with a serious selection problem upon Luis Suarez’s return.

Will Munir continue playing alongside Messi and/or Neymar? Or will the 19-year-old be reduced to a bit-player who will come off the bench for one of Barcelona’s big money forwards?

Those questioned will be answered in the coming weeks. For now, Munir El Haddadi is benefiting from Luis Suarez absence.

[Barcelona vs APOEL Nicosia will be shown LIVE starting at 2:35pm EST today on FoxSoccer2Go]