Barcelona player nearly missed Man City match after he forgot his passport

It’s the pre-flight ritual everyone goes as they enter an airport.

Luggage? Check. Euros? Check. Sun cream? Check. Passport? Passport! F***, I knew I’d forgotten something.

Barcelona were nearly one man down before they’d even got to Manchester after Brazilian defender Marlon Santos forgot his passport.

The squad flew out to Manchester yesterday ahead of tonight’s Champions League clash with Man City but Marlon was left behind.

He linked up with his team-mates today, only to be immediately rinsed by compatriots Neymar and Rafinha.

It’s a shaky start for a player who is yet to make his first-team bow in a Barcelona shirt.

The 21-year-old defender, who has played 12 times for the Brazil Under-20 side, is on a season-long loan from Fluminense.

It’s the same academy PSG defender Thiago Silva graduated from, and the two have been likened in terms of playing style.

Marlon originally linked up with Barcelona’s B team but impressed enough to be included in Luis Enrique’s Champions League side.

With Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu injured and suspended there is every chance he could make his debut at the Etihad.