The winger rose through the academy which has produced world class talents of Lionel Messi, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, to eventually playing alongside them at the Nou Camp. Time with Aston Villa and Middlesbrough only educated the Spaniard more before he arrived at Molineux last summer.
PLAYING WITH THE ELITE
Barcelona | 2004-2015
My memories from Barcelona are amazing. I trained and played with the best players in the world. It was an amazing experience and I will have it in my heart all the time. Messi, Iniesta, Neymar, Sanchez, Xavi, Puyol, Mascherano, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba, all these players were amazing and I learnt a lot from them – they helped me become a better player.
GRACING LA LIGA
Barcelona 4-0 Granada CF | 23rd November 2013
I was substituted on for Neymar who has been amazing. I’ll always have this memory because it was my first game and I was replacing one of the best players. I learnt a lot from this game and I’d like to one day play in La Liga again. I did have some action and I did OK. It was at Camp Nou so of course it was nice to feel the atmosphere.
FIRST TASTE OF ENGLAND
Aston Villa | 2015/16
It was not the best time because we were relegated and had too many managers. I think it’s experience that you learn from and keep going. The tough times make you stronger. It was my first time in England and it started good, but I got a few injuries and we changed managers.
PROVING HIMSELF
Middlesbrough | 2016-2018
Middlesbrough were better memories because I played more, if any player is playing games he’s happy. I had a very good experience there, the manager trusted me, Tony Pulis. I thank him because he helped me, if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be at Wolves, so I appreciate him a lot.
NATIONAL STAGE
Spain under-21s | 2018
It was good for me to play internationally because you’re playing with players from different clubs - Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid for example. They’re at the top teams so it was good to chat to them and they explained the inside of the team. You know what’s going on at different teams and you can see the quality of the players. To represent Spain is a good feeling.
