Former Barcelona winger leaving the door open for a future return

In search of regular game-time and opportunities, many La Masia talents are obliged to bid Barcelona farewell as competition at the club is always peaking and only the cream of the crop manage to cement themselves in the first team.

Ilias Akhomach was one of the many Barça prospects who departed this summer on a free transfer, joining forces with Villarreal.

Having decided to stay in Spain, the player certainly chose a destination close to home and has now opened the door for a potential comeback to his parent club.

Ilias opens up about his exit

The youngster made his senior team debut in Xavi’s first-ever managerial game, which was a 1-0 victory against Espanyol.

The player expressed the sensations he left with after playing in front of a packed Camp Nou.

“At that moment, I felt something inside me. I have been in Barcelona for 13 years, training since I was a child. And that this opportunity came to me was like a dream,” Ilias told Cat Radio in an interview.

“It was not my best match. The Camp Nou it imposed a lot, with so many people. It was a good experience, which still serves me a lot today,” he admitted.

The 19-year-old prospect saw limited game time after that, which led him towards an exit, leaving the club without having spoken to Xavi. Even so, he showed an inclination to one day return to Barcelona.

“These are football things, I don’t hold a grudge against Xavi. Yes, I would have liked to talk to him, but to thank him for the time I spent in the first team.

“Now I’m at Villarreal, but Barça will always be one of the big ones. Why shouldn’t I come back someday?” he said.

Ilias has begun racking up playtime for the Yellow Submarine and will be hoping to achieve a return to Barcelona down the line.