Alphonso Davies recently revealed in an interview that back in 2019 former FC Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu rejected the now Bayern star just because of his nationality. He revealed “Barcelona approached me but the president didn’t want me because I’m from Canada. This was what the press said, I don’t know if the President really said that, but I’m not going to lie, it kind of crushed my feelings.” Since then, the Candian has gone on to win the Bundesliga 5 times and the German Cup twice and the Champions League in 2020 whereas Barcelona have struggled with financial woes.
Davies though is not the only player who has fallen prey to the mismanaged Catalan club. Here are 5 more players that could have broken records for FC Barcelona but didn’t due to internal mismanagement.
Xavi Simons
Such was the talent of the young boy named Xavi Simons that earned his first professional move at the age of 7. He captained all the FC Barcelona youth teams at each age group. Barcelona who are often known to start young players well before their 17th birthday refused to give the Dutch youngster a senior debut before the age of 18. Tired, he left for PSG before landing in PSV where he is making heads turn with an impressive output day in and day out. Also Read: Top 5 Oldest football clubs in La Liga
Takefusa Kubo
The young Japanese sensation was at the La Masia from 2011 to 2015. His abilities on the ball convinced fans that he would soon start in the senior team. Unfortunately for Kubo, he was forced to leave Barca and join the J1 League because they were sanctioned for breaking FIFA regulations on signing young players. After a misfortunate series of events, Barcelona lost Kubo to bitter rivals Real Madrid who outbid the Blaugrana.
Riqui Puig
After his first-team debut in the 18-19 season, the expectation was that Puig would soon develop into a great player as viral videos of his skills on the ball as a youngster in La Masia had long been in circulation. Ernesto Valverde was a long-time admirer of the Spaniard but used him sparingly. He did receive decent playing time under Quique Setién but was pushed to the bench once Koeman arrived. The Dutchman tried to loan him out before Puig forced a move to the MLS side LA Galaxy. Another sensational teenager was let go due to managerial instability at the club, and Barca fans still wonder as to what could have been. Also Read: Top 5 World’s Highest Paid Footballers in 2022 Latest List
Giovani Dos Santos
Giovani Dos Santos broke through at the same time as Bojan and Messi. The three should have been the “trident” of the future, but Dos Santos wanted to play sooner rather than later. He left the Catalan club because he felt underappreciated and underpaid. The Mexican then went on a club-changing spree which included the like of Spurs and LA Galaxy before ending up without a club, as a free agent.
Adama Traore
Adama Traore wasn’t refused once but twice by his beloved club. He grew up in La Masia and made his debut for the first team as a 17-year-old. But as time went on – and with FC Barcelona at that time possessing the fabled MSN front three of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar, as well as Pedro Rodriguez – the opportunities for Adama dried up and he eventually left for England. Impressed with his physical and dribbling abilities Barcelona loaned him back from the Wolves in 2022. But financial restrictions and an un-proportionately balanced wage bill meant Traore had to return to the Premier League bidding a sad and perhaps final goodbye to the club he had always dreamt of playing for. Also Read: Top 5 Best Goalkeepers in football at present
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