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Former Barcelona defender Oscar Mingueza has opened up on the reason behind his decision to part ways with the club, citing Xavi as a major factor. The right-back came through the famed La Masia academy, making his professional bow for the club before moving to Celta Vigo in 2022.
Mingueza was a late bloomer and made his debut for the Barcelona first team in 2020 aged 21, having been in the academy since the age of seven. The Spain international was liked for his versatility, as he was deployed at centre-back or right-back, depending on what former manager Ronald Koeman wanted.
Oscar Mingueza was a guest on Catalunya Radio before another game against his former side in LaLiga on Saturday, November 23. The 25-year-old pointed out that he was not among the players fancied by club legend Xavi, and the manager told him he wouldn't play much.
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“When Xavi arrived we didn’t fit in well. He didn’t like me or whatever. He told me I would play 10 games. I don’t think I had the best mentality in the world either. I was going to train to train, play to play... That’s why I left Barça, to try to regain the motivation to play, to enjoy and improve my football,” Mingueza said (via Barca Times).
Mingueza has been a key player for mid-table Celta Vigo this season, earning his first invitation to the Spanish national team for the UEFA Nations League. The right-back has been linked with a move back to Barcelona, who have a reported buy-back clause active for the defender.
Mingueza has been surprisingly efficient in attack this season, with two goals and five assists to his name in 12 league appearances. Another former Barca star, Marcos Alonso, could also feature for Celta Vigo in the game on Saturday.
Barcelona set to be without star forward for Celta Vigo clash - Reports
Barcelona are prepared to face Celta Vigo without teenage star Lamine Yamal, who has yet to recover from an ankle injury. The 17-year-old forward will be a big miss for his side, who have yet to win a game in his absence this season.
Yamal suffered an ankle problem in his side's UEFA Champions League win over Crvena Zvezda on November 6. This caused him to miss their defeat to Real Sociedad before the international break. The injury has yet to heal as the youngster is set to be out of Saturday's game, according to a report from AS.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has his work cut out for him, seeing as his side struggled in Yamal's absence against Real Sociedad. Their only other league defeat this season, against Osasuna, came when the teenager started on the bench.
