“Even better than Xavi-Busquets-Iniesta” - Ex-Barcelona star Arturo Vidal claims he formed ‘best midfield in the history of football’ elsewhere
Former Barcelona star Arturo Vidal has claimed that he formed the best midfield in the history of football at Juventus, rather than with the Catalan giants. He made it clear, in an interview on the YouTube channel Davoo, that the trio of Xavi Hernandez, Sergio Busquets, and Andres Iniesta weren't as good.
He name-checked his former teammates in Italy, saying that they made up the best midfield in the world (via Barca Times):
“Together with me, Pogba, Pirlo, and Marchisio, we formed the best midfield in the history of football, even better than Xavi-Busquets-Iniesta.”
He talked about the UEFA Champions League final in 2015, where Barcelona beat Juventus 3-1. He argued that it was only Lionel Messi who ensured Barca's win, as Juve won the midfield battle, saying (via Tuttosport):
"It was different: the three of them were technically spectacular, incredible. But they didn't even kick, they didn't touch the ground: they suffered against us. If it hadn't been for Messi, we would have won in that Champions League final: that Juve it was from Treble. It was the best year of my life. I also won the Copa America with Chile."
The former Barcelona midfielder no longer plays in Europe, now plying his trade with Colo-Colo after stints at Flamengo and Athletico Paranaense.
Xavi, Busquets, and Iniesta are widely regarded as one of the best midfield combinations of all time. They dominated world football with Barcelona and Spain, winning numerous trophies.
Barcelona youngster's agent blames club for decision to exit
Barcelona youngster Andrea Natali has made the decision to leave the Catalan giants, opting to continue his professional career elsewhere. It's believed that the 16-year-old was seen as a talented player for the future, but he has decided against pursuing that first-team path with the Blaugrana.
The defender has been linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen (via GSFN), where he could be granted more playing time and potential first-team opportunities. His decision to leave Barca, though, has been revealed by his agent Vincenzo Raiola.
In an interview with Diario Sport, the agent expressed concerns about the youngster's future at the club, saying (via GSFN):
“Almost a year ago we told Barca that our priority was to continue. Our idea was that Andrea could participate in the reserve team next season. But that was never the club’s will. It was strange and difficult to understand what the sporting project for Andrea was. It was not clear if it was Juvenil ‘A’, if it was Barca Atletic…"
Raiola also questioned Barcelona's style of play, adding:
“Andrea needed a new step, another football in which he goes deeper into issues or concepts that at Barca have been somewhat limited as a result of the rigidity that comes with the famous question of style."
Time will tell where the talented defender will play next season, and if he will get a clearer sporting project with his future employers.