Former Barcelona defender opens up on strained relations with Xavi Hernandez

Former Barcelona defender and recent Spanish debutant Oscar Mingueza has opened up on the strained relationship with Xavi Hernandez. The Celta Vigo right-back has explained that he was one of the reasons he left the Catalan club.

As with Sergino Dest, Mingueza left Barcelona the summer after Xavi's arrival. Both were regular right-backs under Ronald Koeman, but moved on to pastures new when the legendary midfielder arrived.

“When Xavi arrived, we weren't a good fit. He didn't like me or anything. He told me I would play ten games. I don't think I had the best mentality in the world either. “I trained to train, I played to play… That's why I left Barca, to try to find the motivation to play, enjoy and improve my performance,” he told TV3, quoted by Sport.

He also said that Barcelona's current crop of youngsters deserved high praise for their performances.

“The club was at a very critical moment and I, like almost all the players in that team, ended up the same way. Casado, Cubarsi and company. We should attach great importance to what they do. If you're a defender and you make a mistake, you're in the picture and you're screwed. They will make mistakes, but if they do, they should not be killed.”

Mingueza has gone from strength to strength at Celta and can count himself among the most creative players in La Liga this season. That has earned him consecutive call-ups for Spain and even talk of a return to Barcelona. They have included a 50% sell-on fee in his contract, while Mingueza has a €20 million release clause with Os Celestes.