Bayern Munich star Thiago Alcantara has played alongside Lionel Messi during his Barcelona days and has played opposite to Cristiano Ronaldo during the Spaniard's time in La Liga. Naturally, he has been asked about the two superhumans of the footballing world, Messi and Ronaldo, a lot of times and recently Alcantara has gone on to say that he has fed off the comparisons between the two.
Thiago, who spent three years at the prestigious La Masia academy before making over 100 appearances for the first team which spanned for four long years. He was mostly used as a substitute for the Catalans before making a move to Bayern Munich in the summer of 2015. He has won three Bundesliga titles since his move to Germany and also has gone on say that it was the right decision to leave Barcelona.
Speaking on the never ending 'Messi vs Ronaldo' debate which does not seem to have an end, Alcantara had a perfect answer who said, "Leo is one of the greatest in the history of football. But I’m tired of comparing Messi and Cristiano. It’s not healthy for football. Cristiano Ronaldo’s an animal, too."
He was always a player that was highly thought of during his time at Barcelona and was seen as a direct replacement of Xavi Hernandez but failed to do so which eventually cost the then Barcelona Sporting director, Andoni Zubizarreta his job for letting Thiago go so easily.
He explained his decision to leave Barcelona as he said, “I don’t regret leaving Barcelona. Football is global, it doesn’t end at Barcelona. It was great to form part of their academy and the first team and if one day I have to take the decision to return, I will take it. But I’m really happy at Bayern and I haven’t planned to leave.”
This statement has made it clear that the midfield may return where it all began for him.
Thiago had signed a long-term deal with the club in 2011 which had a release clause of €90 million. However, since the Catalan giants failed to fulfil the clauses regarding the amount of first team action in his contract, Bayern managed to sign the Spaniard for as little as €18 million and this move reunited him with his former manager, Pep Guardiola who has been an admirer of his since his appointment as Barcelona manager. Injuries aside, Thiago has made a fine start to his career in Germany.
