Former Barcelona chief sheds light on how ex-La Masia starlet ended up at Real Madrid

Joan Vila is one of the most iconic figures inside Barcelona’s well-oiled talent machine, La Masia.

With over 40 years of experience, Vila, who worked as the club’s Head of Methodology for a number of years in the past, has moulded players such as Xavi Hernandez during his distinguished career.

But at the same time, Vila has also been in charge of helping Barcelona unearth new-age talents such as Takefusa Kubo.

How Kubo joined Barcelona

In a recent interview, Joan Vila has revealed the intricacies behind the signing of Kubo in 2011.

“Eleven or twelve years ago, I think in 2011, when I joined Zubizarreta as director of methodology. I went to a campus in Japan and saw him,” Vila said (h/t Diario AS).

“We decided to bring him here. His beginnings were difficult. He came with his mother and his 4-year-old brother, without understanding a word of Spanish. We have had a good relationship. He is like a son to me,” he added.

Vila on why Kubo left Barcelona

Vila, though, went on to reveal why Takefusa Kubo left the club in 2015, returning to Japan in the process.

“At the age of 15 there could not be any non-EU players due to FIFA regulations, so we had to wait until he turned 18 to get him back, but I know that there was not a very serious follow-up,” said Vila.

“When he was 18 years old, Barcelona called him. But they didn’t make any bets on him. He didn’t show any interest. And in the end, he opted for Real Madrid,” he added.

Kubo indeed joined Real Madrid in 2018 on a free transfer. However, he failed to make a strong impact at Santiago Bernabeu, eventually leaving the club in 2022.

Vila was asked about speculation at the time which suggested that Kubo’s agent was demanding €1 million to re-sign for Barça.

But the Spaniard suggested that Kubo’s decision not to return to Barcelona was not motivated by money. “There was an economic discrepancy. But Kubo told me that wasn’t that important. It was a question of the club not backing him,” he said.

Kubo’s explosion at Real Sociedad

After joining Real Sociedad in 2022 for a fee of €6.5 million, Kubo has become one of the most talented young players in La Liga.

The Japanese international has racked up 14 goals and 12 assists since joining Real Sociedad, with eight of the goal involvements coming in the ongoing campaign.

“He has found the right place with Imanol Alguacil at Real Sociedad. A serious team, very good, organized and good colleagues,” Vila said when asked about Kubo’s current form.