Former Barcelona winger explains reasons for summer exit: “I felt something inside me”

Speaking in a recent interview, former Barcelona winger Ilias Akhomach has shed light on the reasons for his departure from the club this summer.

Ilias, 19, came through the youth ranks at Barça’s La Masia setup and even went on to make his first-team debut back in 2021.

The winger was part of the Barça Atletic setup last season but decided to call time on his stint in Catalonia and ended up signing for Villarreal in the summer.

Ilias felt he needed to leave

Ilias left Barcelona after making three senior appearances and 42 matches for Barça Atletic. He has featured seven times for Villarreal since making the switch, with an assist against his name.

The 19-year-old starlet explained that he would always feel gratitude towards Barça but felt that the time was right for him to move.

“I will always feel grateful to Barça for everything they have given me. If I’m here, it’s thanks to me, but also to them. I have no complaints about Barça,” Ilias stated, as quoted by SPORT.

“They are decisions that have to be taken… A footballer’s career is very long. In the last year in the reserve team, I felt something inside me that told me: I have to leave here because I have all the qualities to be able to exploit myself in another team.”

The youngster explained that his decision was not motivated because of a lack of opportunities and that the parting of ways was amicable, saying:

“I did not leave because of the lack of opportunities, because I was also in the first team for a while, but I felt that I wanted to leave.”

“We reached an agreement with the club and we settled it. On both sides, we ended well, and that’s the most important thing. To go out badly would not have been positive. I have always had enormous respect and affection for the institution.”

Difficult decision

Further elaborating on his departure, Ilias admitted that it was not easy for him to leave Barcelona but felt that he had made the right decision.

“This year, when I left Barcelona, it was hard. I have many teammates and people at the club with whom I have a great relationship. It’s difficult, but it’s a decision I had to make. We are getting older and we have to make decisions,” he exclaimed.

“I think it’s the right one. Who knows, in a few years’ time, what might happen. I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, but right now I’m very happy at Villarreal.”