BUNDESLIGA - Departed talent Moriba hits back at FC Barcelona

Ilaix Moriba (18) has bitten off after his transfer to RB Leipzig. The midfielder transferred from FC Barcelona to the Bundesliga club on Deadline Day, because he had become persona non-grata in Catalonia. He looks back on the difficult last period, in which he did not want to extend his contract and was put away as a money wolf by the club management.

"People within the club have said things that are not true at all. We have not wanted to and cannot react to it, because we still have a lot of respect for FC Barcelona," the talent told Marca. The months in which he was banned still hurt the most for the footballer, who spent years in the youth academy of the Catalan superpower.

"The last few months have been the hardest in my life. Lies were told by the club, but we kept it clean. I received a lot of insulting messages from the fans. They have always supported me, but lately they didn't know how to behave. We had to behave well. We did not deserve that," said the former FC Barcelona player, who is looking forward to seeing Lionel Messi again.

With RB Leipzig, he plays against the little Argentinian in the group stage of the Champions League. "It is every child's dream to play with Messi. What he has done at FC Barcelona is unbelievable," praised Ilaix, who is happy with his new club. "The plan here appeals to me enormously. The fact that many young players are breaking through also appeals to me enormously."