Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara affirmed that he has no regrets whatsoever about his decision to leave former club Barcelona. Thiago, who spent three years at Barcelona's La Masia academy, broke into the first team in 2009. He made 100 appearances for the Catalan giants during his 4 years at the club but was mostly used in the role of a substitute.
He moved to German champions Bayern Munich in the summer of 2013 in search of regular first team action. The 25-year-old has won three consecutive Bundesliga titles with Bayern and he insists that it was the right decision to leave Camp Nou.
“I do not regret having gone from FC Barcelona. Football is global, it does not end at Barca,” Thiago told Spanish daily Mundo Deportivo.
He was considered as the player who was destined to succeed Xavi at Camp Nou but Andoni Zubizarreta, who was Barcelona’s sporting director back then, made the mistake of letting him go, a decision that would eventually cost Zubizaretta his job
Thiago had in fact signed a long-term contract 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.
Thiago has made 94 appearances for the German powerhouse scoring 10 times and providing 16 assists but his Bayern Munich career has been a bit unfortunate as injuries have always troubled him. Thiago would be hoping that he can keep his fitness intact and establish himself as a regular in Carlo Ancelotti’s side this season.
Thiago was born in Italy and his father, Mazinho had won the world cup with Brazil in 1994. However, Thiago chose to play for Spain over Italy and Brazil and he insists that he is happy with that decision.
“I was right choosing to play with Spain. It is a pride, the decision was easy. I love Spain," he said. "One of my dreams is to lift a title with Spain. I lifted titles in the past that did not feel like mine."
Thiago was the star of the 2013 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in Israel as he delivered some fine performances for his nation and he scored a hat-trick against Italy in the final. He was also instrumental in Spain’s success at the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship.
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