When FC Barcelona announced its signing just two seasons ago, excitement erupted in Can Barça. People spoke of a gem arriving to mark a new era at Camp Nou. However, from the beginning, there were cautious voices that called for calm.
No one was clearer than Xavi Hernández. His assessment was direct, with no beating around the bush or ambiguity. He identified physical shortcomings, mental doubts, and a lack of competitiveness for the required level.
Xavi Hernández | @FCBarcelona
Failed integration from day one
During the first official matches, the young player barely set foot on the first team's field. When he did get minutes, he didn't know how to take advantage of the opportunities offered. He also failed to fit in the locker room, neither tactically nor socially.
Xavi decided not to rush his inclusion, preferring to keep him in the background to protect him. This decision was questioned by some of the fans and the press. However, as time has passed, his prudence has proven to be correct.
Xavi Hernández with Barça | @FCBarcelona
With Hansi Flick's arrival, many hopes were placed on a possible recovery. There was speculation that the German could give him a second chance. That wasn't the case: from the very first training session, it was clear he wasn't in his plans.
The club chose a loan to a First Division team so he could get minutes. Initially, there was some prominence, but he soon disappeared from the starting eleven. In recent months, it wasn't even common to see him among the substitutes.
Hansi Flick | @FCBarcelona
Decisive summer
With the summer transfer window already underway, the club is clear that it's time to close this chapter. Contacts have been made for a loan with a purchase option, or even a contract termination if no interesting offer arrives. The priority is for him to find a destination where he can truly progress.
Two clubs have already shown interest: Valencia and Girona are willing to offer him minutes and trust away from the pressure of Camp Nou. There are also offers from the Second Division, but the preference is to keep him in the elite so his reputation doesn't fade.
Hansi Flick | @FCBarcelona
The player in question failed to meet expectations in any area: technical, mental, and physical aspects were insufficient. Although at one time he was compared to great Spanish soccer prospects, his time with the squad has been a succession of disappointments.
The club saw him as a piece for the future, but the present has proven otherwise. Neither Xavi nor Flick have managed to find him a role in their systems. The conclusion is indisputable: his profile doesn't fit with Barça's current model.
Xavi Hernández with Barça | @FCBarcelona
Xavi already warned about it
The former coach was right before anyone else
The story leaves a bitter feeling: from the beginning, Xavi Hernández was clear he wasn't ready. His early vision has been confirmed as the seasons and sporting reality have unfolded. Once again, the Barça environment sees in him a figure whose prudence was prophetic.
Now the club faces a difficult but necessary operation: closing the door on a failed stage and decisively betting on players who do fit the project. Barça's memory doesn't forget those who don't reach the level, and Pablo Torre is no longer among them, at least not for much longer.
Pablo Torre with Barça | @FCBarcelona
Pablo Torre's figure, a symbol of an opportunity that didn't materialize, will become a summer story. Consequences of a bet that didn't deliver as desired. Now, only days remain to see if his departure clears space and resources for signings that do add to Flick's model.
