PSG midfielder ‘spent a week crying’ after leaving Barcelona for early-debut reasons | OneFootball

For more than two decades now, La Masia has been churning out talented midfielders, most of whom have gone on to become superstars. Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Cesc Fabregas probably headlined the previous golden generation, and the most recent one includes supremely talented youngsters in Nico Gonzalez, Gavi, Riqui Puig, and Ilaix Moriba – even though he has left the club.

One player who was touted to be ‘the next big thing’ from Barcelona’s academy as a 14-year-old and could have been part of the current bunch of graduates was Xavi Simons.

Called out by La Masia director

Named after arguably the greatest midfielder of all time, Simons eventually left Barcelona nearly three years ago as a 16-year-old. At the time, it was reported that the player was ‘chasing money’, with then-La Masia director Xavi Vilajoana calling him out for the same.

“It’s very simple, he went for the money. Every player has the right to choose where they go but, to be honest, it’s difficult for me to understand why in those ages they are so desperate to earn money.”

Xavi Simons’ friend disputes money claim

Interestingly enough, Simons’ close friend Ferney Agudelo has put forth a statement contrasting previous media reports. Speaking to L’Equipe (h/t FCBarcelonaFI), he said:

“Xavi Simons spent a week crying in his room when he left Barça. He was focued on improving each day, but Barça did not give him the guarantee that even if all went well he would be debut in the first-team before the age of 18.”

Simons was captain of almost every Barcelona youth team at the time and was surprisingly popular for a player who had not even debuted for the B team.

While it would be in poor taste to judge a 16-year-old intentions of leaving, this statement comes at a wildly speculative time for Simons. The midfielder has been linked with a return to Barcelona now that his contract with PSG ticks down in June 2022.

The Mino Raiola quotient

Further, the 18-year-old is represented by none other than Mino Raiola — A man infamous for prioritising big-money moves for his clients. Paul Pogba and Matthijs de Ligt, for example, were sold for a sum total of more than €160 million. Now, it is an open secret that both players are unhappy at their respective clubs.

Not to forget Erling Haaland, who is valued at more than €150 million. The Borussia Dortmund man has a release clause of €75 million and could well end up at a club that is ready to offer him – and Riola – the most money.

Speaking of the Italian superagent, though, it is said that he has quite a relationship with Barcelona president Joan Laporta. The Spanish politician, apparently, helped Raiola with his credibility when he was setting up his agency.

As such, Haaland has been in the news with a Camp Nou switch nearly every week, while some other clients, such as Noussaid Mazraoui, de Ligt, Pogba, and Alessio Romagnoli, have found their names whispered in the Catalan capital.

At the end of the day, though, these players, much like Xavi Simons, will have the final call on their next move. The Spaniard, at 16, was probably poorly advised about his future, and while fans may never know the truth, could end up at Barcelona all the same against their wishes. A riveting six months ahead for all parties.