‘He didn’t like me’ – Former Barcelona star admits Xavi was key figure in departure | OneFootball

Former Barcelona star Óscar Mingueza has on Thursday provided an insight into the role played by Xavi Hernández in his departure from the club.

Defender Mingueza has of course taken his place front and centre in the headlines in Spain across the early months of the new campaign.

This comes with the 25-year-old, almost out of the blue, having exploded into life as an attacking threat.

All told, across 12 La Liga appearances to date this season, the versatile full-back has racked up two goals, along with five assists.

So impressive has Mingueza looked, in fact, that speculation has even begun to mount in the media that Barcelona could look to make use of the terms of their deal with Celta Vigo to bring the Spanish international back to Catalunya’s capital.

Speaking during an interview with Esport3 this week, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of his Blaugrana past was put to Mingueza himself.

And, in his response, the stopper went on to provide a fascinating insight into the reasoning behind his departure, with ex-boss Xavi featuring prominently:

“When Xavi arrived we didn’t fit well, he must not have liked me or whatever. He told me I would play 10 games (in the season). I don’t think I had the best mentality in the world, either.”

Conor Laird – GSFN