Former Barcelona defender fumes at Xavi treatment

Former Barcelona defender Sergino Dest has lashed out at old boss Xavi Hernandez, alleging the World Cup winner did not give him opportunities to shine in Catalonia.

Dest was a regular in his first season at Camp Nou under Ronald Koeman, making 44 appearances and another 31 in his second campaign as the Dutchman was replaced by fellow club legend Xavi in 2021.

The USMNT international was loaned out to Serie A giants Milan for the 2022/23 campaign and now plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, having completed a free transfer in June earlier this year.

Dest, who has previously been critical of Xavi's treatment, has claimed the former midfielder was dishonest with him.

"I don't think he was honest with me," he told Diario SPORT. "We had several conversations where he told me one thing, but then I doubted whether it was really true.

"In the summer, before going on holiday, he told me 'I'm counting on you, don't read the press'. And as soon as I got back, he told me 'you have to go'.

"I wouldn't say I regret it [time at Barca], because in the end, it wasn't something that depended on me.

"But I don't feel like I had the necessary opportunities with Xavi. I felt like I had to play within limits, that I wasn't myself. I wanted to join the attack, because that's my greatest virtue, but he asked me not to go up.

"It was an incredible and wonderful experience. I will always carry Barca in my heart. It was a shame that it had to end like this because I felt I could still be useful to the club. But when a new coach arrives and has his ideas, you can't change them."

Back in January, Dest admitted he would only have an opportunity to play for Barca again if Xavi left as manager. After a 2023/24 campaign filled with turmoil on and off the field, he was sacked and replaced by Hansi Flick, who led La Blaugrana to the top of the La Liga standings before the October international break.

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