Celta Vigo defender looking forward to facing Barcelona: “They gave me everything”

Oscar Mingueza is set to cross paths with his former club Barcelona when the Blaugrana take the field against Celta Vigo at home on Saturday, September 23.

Speaking ahead of the game, the 24-year-old thanked the Catalan team, saying that he owes a lot to the team. 

It must be noted that Mingueza, 24, joined Barcelona’s famed La Masia in 2007 and made his first team debut in 2020, replacing an injured Gerard Pique in a UEFA Champions League group stage match.

In the summer of 2022, however, he was sold to Celta Vigo for a fee reported to be around €3 million.

No excessive celebration

Speaking to the press ahead of the La Liga game, the 24-year-old said that he is very excited to face his former team as they have helped him grow.

“It’s a game that makes me very excited because Barcelona has been the team that has made me grow as a person or as a player, that gave me everything. I have spent 16 years playing in Barcelona and it is very nice to return there,” he said as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

He went on to add that if he scores on the night, he would indeed celebrate but there will be no excessive celebration.

“Yes [I would celebrate], I will be happy but I will not do any excessive celebration either. I think they have given me a lot in Barcelona, ​​they have given me everything.

“The education, the knowledge of football, I was raised in La Masia, I owe them everything and they have all my respect,” he said.

Explaining Xavi’s mentality

The defender also explained Xavi’s mentality, saying that the manager always wants his team to score as many goals as possible, no matter the magnitude of the game.

“Barça will always try to score as many goals as they can. I was with Xavi and his coaching staff and they didn’t let up even in the friendlies.

“We also have to go with the mentality of going to the maximum because otherwise There will be no way to get anything out. The important thing is to go out with the maximum attitude and give everything for the 90 minutes,” he explained.

The defender concluded by saying that during his stint with Barcelona, he never got to play in Montjuic.

“No, the truth is that I have never played, I have been with my father, I remember going to see athletics once. 

“In the end, the atmosphere is going to be the same and the pressure that We will feel from the fans too, they will be comfortable playing at home. It will not be the same stadium but we will have the same feeling as if we were playing at the Camp Nou.”