Former Barcelona youth prodigy Oscar Mingueza has enjoyed a stellar start to the new season so far.
Currently plying his trade for Celta Vigo, the right-back has racked up two goals and three assists in just four matches.
Mingueza offers his thoughts on Barcelona
Speaking to SPORT, Mingueza has recently shared his thoughts on his former club Barcelona and his experience of breaking out from the famed La Masia academy.
Mingueza, in fact, is hopeful that the Barcelona project is going to work this season.
“Barça are still in the process. It’s not something that happens from one year to the next. With the players that were there, some had to go, like Leo, Busi, Jordi Alba, very important, who have marked a before and after,” he said.
“It was very difficult to replace them. It’s a project that needs time. Going little by little and trusting. Last year we saw that it could go further and I hope that this year it will explode,” he added.
Mingueza went on to explain whether or not he still has a corner of affection for Barcelona. After all, the defender had spent the majority of his career in Catalonia.
“I cannot forget where I come from. I was only in the first team for two years, but Barça is not just the first team. It is the youth team, La Masia, the school at La Masia, educators, coaches, players… I am what I am partly because of them,” he said.
“I saw the coaches more than my parents. From the age of 14 when I went to training in a taxi, it was the same. I have learned most things there, I will always be grateful and Barça will always be in my heart. I am super grateful,” he added.
Mingueza also talked about his struggles at Barcelona, though he did admit his first season in the first team was quite a good experience.
“I was very young, I needed to play, I was not confident, the first year I was at my best physical level and football level. In the second year, I was not. I think I was not well. It was difficult, but these things happen,” he said.
During his time at the club, Mingueza featured in 66 competitive matches for Barcelona, before eventually joining Celta Vigo on a free transfer in 2022.
Reflecting on his transfer, Mingueza thanked Barcelona, “Barça didn’t object, they let me go for free and I’m very happy with how everything went.“
