Getty Barcelona are interested in Stefan Mitrovic.
Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez has come up with some surprise relevations when asked about specific players he wishes had been able to play for the Catalan giants.
Xavi told Marca that former Manchester United and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Forlan is one player he would have loved to have seen ply his trade at the Camp Nou.
“I always wanted to sign him for Barcelona,” he said. “He has dominated in all areas: right, left, head, speed and talent…. He is a world class player.”
Forlan moved to Europe to sign for Manchester United and then enjoyed a prolific spell in La Liga with Villarreal and Atletico. The Uruguay international won the Premier League and FA Cup with the Red Devils and the Europa League with Atletico.
The striker also enjoyed success on the international stage, winning the Copa America in 2011. In total he scored 36 goals in 112 games for his national side and won the Golden Ball for the best player at the 2010 World Cup.
Forlan went on to enjoy spells with Serie A side Inter as well as Internacional, Cerezo Osaka, Penarol and Mumbai City before he eventually hung up his boots in 2019.
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Xavi Also Wanted Real Madrid Star
Xavi also spoke about another player he wished had signed for Barcelona. The coach says that former Real Madrid playmaker James Rodriguez would have been a good fit for the Catalans.
“I feel sorry that James Rodriguez played for Real Madrid and not for Barcelona,” he added. “James has always shown quality and talent to make a difference.”
Rodriguez signed for Los Blancos after starring for Colombia at World Cup 2014 but struggled to live up to his lofty €90 million price tag during his six years at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The playmaker was loaned out to Bayern Munich for two seasons before eventually being sold to Everton. However, he only lasted a year in the Premier League before moving on to Al-Rayyan and then Greek side Olympiacos where he currently plys his trade.
More Xavi Favorites
The Barcelona boss also spoke about some of the players he most appreciated playing with during his time at the Camp Nou. Former Barca goalkeeper Claudo Bravo was mentioned due to the reassurance he offered the team defensively.
“Personally, he gave me a lot of security,” he said. “He was “a very calm goalkeeper, with fantastic feet.”
Bravo is still playing top-level football at the age of 39. The stopper signed for Real Betis in 2020 and has made seven appearances in all competitions for Los Verdiblancos this season.
Finally, Xavi also mentioned Rafa Marquez and spoke about the Mexican’s ability to “give you a pass like (Ronald) Koeman or compete like (Sergio) Ramos.”
Marquez is back at Barcelona and working with Xavi again. The 43-year-old has taken charge of the club’s reserve side, Barca Atletic, and works with some of the Catalans’ most promising youngsters.
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