Puig determined to become a Barcelona regular

Teenage midfielder Riqui Puig has made two league starts for Barcelona over the past month and he is keen to fight for more regular minutes.

Published : May 05, 2019 18:54 IST

Riqui Puig is refusing to give up on his dream of making it as a Barcelona regular – even if it means spending another season with the reserves.

The 19-year-old has started two of Barca's last five La Liga matches, profiting from Ernesto Valverde's decision to rotate his squad over the past month as he seeks to secure the treble.

READ | Valverde: Dembele's injury looks like a muscle tear

Puig was unable to prevent his side from falling to a 2-0 loss when given the full 90 minutes in Saturday's meeting with Celta Vigo, a week on from Barca wrapping up the title with a few games to spare.

But despite his limited playing time at senior level in 2018-19, the teenage midfielder – a regular for the Barcelona B side – is determined to make a name for himself at Camp Nou. 

"I would like to be in the first team but I don't decide that, the club does," he said in an interview with YouTuber Koko DC . "If I have to be in Barcelona B for another season, in the Segunda B, it wouldn't matter. 

"I'm not going to give in. As my father says, it's cold outside of Barca and you cannot leave if they don't kick you out."

Among the sides reportedly monitoring the youngster's situation are Manchester City, managed by former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.

Puig has played down a move to the Etihad Stadium, however, joking that he would struggle to cope with the English weather.

ALSO READ | Valverde backs retiring Xavi for Barca coaching role

"If I have to go to Manchester, it will be raining every day. Here the sun comes out every day," he said. "I think my team-mates did not see a future, they had to leave. Some of them did very well.

"They told me I have a peculiar style of play. I could play for another team, but the characteristic I have will make me better at Barcelona. So I will continue here; a 15-year career in Barcelona."

Sign in to unlock all user benefits
  • Get notified on top games and events
  • Save stories to read later
  • Access to comment on every story
  • Sign up / manage to our newsletters with a single click
  • Get notified by email for early bird access to discounts & offers to our products
Sign in

Comments

Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal. Please abide to our community guidelines for posting your comment