Former Barcelona midfielder says he is very disappointed with the club and Xavi

Former Barcelona midfielder Riqui Puig has reflected on his troubled tenure with the Blaugrana, saying that he left the team utterly disappointed. His frustration was majorly targeted towards manager Xavi and the Barcelona management.

“I am very disappointed with Barça and with Xavi,” said the young midfielder, speaking to FOXDeportes, who recently joined Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy on a free transfer.

Speaking further, the 23-year-old explained what he went through during the final months with the team.

“My last month at Barça was very difficult for me. Leaving a player out of the pre-season tour… I had never seen that before. I was with a few other teammates in Barcelona, who they also wanted to force out, while the squad played matches. I was hurt by it,” he added.

Riqui Puig was left out of Barcelona’s squad for the pre-season club friendlies as he was told to find a new team by his manager Xavi. While there were several suitors from La Liga itself, he decided to find a new challenge elsewhere.

By the time he finalized his MLS transfer, the midfielder had one year left on his Barcelona contract. And while there was no fee involved in the transfer, Barcelona decided to reserve the right to repurchase the player for around €10 million.

Furthermore, in case they refuse to exercise the buyback option, they will receive 50% any future sale.

Meanwhile, this is certainly not the first time Puig has expressed his discontent with Barcelona’s behaviour. Earlier this month, he shed some light on how he lost his confidence due to the aforementioned.

“I never had a coach who fully trusted me. As a player, you can lose confidence but you can never lose continuity,” said the 23-year-old.

“I have to thank Barcelona because I am who I am as a player thanks to them. The last part of my life at Barcelona was not how I wanted. I wasn’t treated how I would have liked. But that can be forgotten, and that’s that,” he added.