Villarreal CF v Atletico de Madrid - LaLiga EA Sports
VILLARREAL, SPAIN - MAY 24: Arnau Tenas of Villarreal CF celebrates during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Villarreal CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio de la Ceramica on May 24, 2026 in Villarreal, Spain. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Luis Mazariegos Luis Mazariegos has been a lead writer and editor for Barca Blaugranes since 2012, bringing tactical analysis, transfer reports, opinion columns, and investigative coverage to the SB Nation network. An award-winning journalist, he has held press credentials for Champions League and La Liga fixtures – reporting live from the stadium, press box, and press conferences. He frequently provides commentary as a guest on football podcasts and radio shows. In addition to his sports media work, Luis spent over a decade in broadcast television and currently serves as an editor for a major digital news network.
Former FC Barcelona Atlètic goalkeeper Arnau Tenas has revealed he dreams of returning to Barcelona. He currently plays for RCD Mallorca in the second division, having gone through spells at Paris Saint-Germain and Villarreal. Mostly a backup with those latter clubs, he has become a standout at Mallorca, keeping six clean sheets in eight starts.
In a new interview on Catalan radio, Tenas said he was “very happy in Mallorca” and his mission now is to “to take Mallorca where it deserves to be—that is, in the First Division.”
Having previously played in Ligue 1 in France and La Liga in Spain, both top divisions, going to the second division could be seen as the wrong move. Tenas disagreed, saying, “People have a lot of prejudices, but for me, it’s not a step backward—it’s a huge step forward.”
Despite his satisfaction at his current club, Tenas admitted, “If I said I wouldn’t want to return to Barça, I’d be lying; it would be like coming home.”
During his time at La Masia and the B team, Tenas played alongside current Barça stars like Gavi, Pau Cubarsí, Xavi Espart, and Eric Garcia. He also played alongside Kylian Mbappé at PSG. “He is a very good teammate, personable, and trained well,” Tenas said.
Speaking about the current team at Barcelona, Tenas singled out Brazilian star Raphinha.
“I’m really happy for Raphinha. Really happy for him,” he said. “Some people don’t see everything going on behind the scenes, and there were times when he was really struggling. What is he doing this season so far? What’s gotten into him? It’s incredible. He’s a beast.”
Tenas joins Diego Kochen as another former Barcelona goalkeeper publicly stating their dream of a homecoming this week. Kochen recently debuted for the United States national team, first as a substitute. He then got his first start, where he kept a clean sheet against Mexico. He currently plays club football for Lyngby Boldklub in the Danish Superliga.
“It’d be any kid’s dream to go back to such a big club,” Kochen said about a possible return to Barcelona.
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