Former Barcelona Star Blames Xavi for His Departure From the Club

• Riqui Puig departed Barcelona in the summer of 2022
• The Barcelona Academy product appeared to be one of the finest talents from La Masia
• Puig has recently spoken about what transpired during his Barcelona exit

Barcelona’s former midfield star, Riqui Puig has recently come out to clear the air on the circumstance surrounding his shocking departure from the Camp Nou.

Puig, who was touted to be the next big thing to come out of the infamous La Masia academy, left the football world in surprise when he made a transfer to Major League Soccer (MLS) side LA Galaxy.

The midfielder, who recently spoke to Diario AS, has revealed the role current Barcelona coach Xavi played in his departure from the Catalan club.

Puig speaks on leaving Barcelona

Puig explained that upon his return to preseason during the summer of 2022, Xavi informed him that he was not part of his future plans and that he was excluded from first-team training going forward.

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The 23-year-old appeared surprised with the decision of the Barcelona manager, given the close relationship the pair share from way back.

As quoted by Goal, Puig recalled:

"I had a sit down with Xavi last summer.

"He told me he was not counting on me.

"With the president (Joan Laporta) maybe it was different, he was always telling me I was a player for the future and that he wanted me to stay.

"But I was not going to stay in a place where the manager does not want you.

"I believe I was not treated fairly when I came back to training in pre-season last summer when the club did not let me train with them.

"I think that if I still have a contract with the club, I should be able to act like that and they can’t tell me not to train with them."

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The midfielder feels he was pushed out of the Catalan club and that his exit is solely down to Xavi.

Puig mocks Barcelona’s Ferran Torres

In a previous report, Sports Brief stated that a leaked audio clip has done the rounds, in which Puig is heard mocking Ferran Torres.

The clips, which are reportedly from February, revealed Puig’s thoughts on Torres signing for Barca from Manchester City. Torres made the move to the Catalan giants in the January 2022 transfer window.