The last season was a memorable one for Barcelona youngster Aleix Garrido as the La Masia graduate got his first-team breakthrough, making his debut in a La Liga game against Elche on April 1.
While that was his only appearance for Xavi Hernandez’s side, the 19-year-old trained quite regularly with the seniors and is set to be on the pre-season tour to the United States, with there being a possibility of an increased role in the first team next term.
Garrido spoke in an interview with Tot Gira (h/t SPORT) recently and expressed his gratitude towards manager Xavi and insisted his words act as motivation, saying:
“When he mentions you, you realise that he knows you, but hearing what he said about me is a motivation and it’s appreciated.”
Xavi has spoken highly of Garrido in the past even likening him to Pedri owing to his quality to produce the final pass. Talking about the comparisons, Garrido said:
“Comparisons are inevitable, but it doesn’t cross our minds as footballers. You’re never going to look like Xavi, Pedri, or whoever. I look at them, but we have nothing to do with each other.”
However, having been at the club since the age of seven, Garrido admits that the Barcelona DNA has been ingrained within him, as he grew up watching club legends like Xavi, Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets, and Lionel Messi playing and dominating football.
“All my life I’ve had the Barça DNA instilled in me, but it was easier than all that, because you’d turn on the TV and see Busquets, Xavi, and Iniesta with Messi in front and you’d say: ‘If I look a bit, as long as I have something left of the thousand things they have, it’s fine.’
“We had the best players at Barça and it was obligatory to look at them.”
Aleix Garrido is also spoke about the close friendship he shares with Gavi, saying: “We have enjoyed a lot together. We get on well and we maintain our relationship. We’ve been thinking about playing together in the first team, but it’s very difficult. He has achieved it and now it’s my turn.”
