Thiago left Barcelona 'to find the joy in playing football again' | OneFootball

Thiago progressed through La Masia alongside his older brother Rafinha and was considered one of the club’s brightest prospects, drawing comparisons with Xavi and Andrés Iniesta.

However, the 27-year-old opted to leave Camp Nou in favour of more first team opportunities, following Pep Guardiola to Bayern Munich in 2013.

“I have always wanted to play and since that wasn’t possible with Barça I had to leave to find the joy in playing football again,” he told Cadena SER.

“To me playing is more important than winning a trophy. I will always be grateful to Barcelona, but I left because I didn’t want to be just one of the many.

“In the cantera, the dream is always to reach the first team and once we get there, we want to play and know that we can become regulars.

“When that’s not possible, it’s the moment you should leave,” the Spain international added. “That’s what I did, leaving Barcelona was my decision.

“Returning to the Blaugrana? I am only focused on the current season, I am not thinking beyond that. We have lots of work to do.”

Thiago has been a first team regular this season under Niko Kovač who faces a fight to keep his job following Bayern’s poor start.