Nolito has told Catalan newspaper [Sport](https://www.sport.es/) that he rejected Barcelona to join Manchester City.
The 38-year-old retired from his playing career in 2023 and has now reviewed his career during a chat with Sport.
Manchester City signed the Spaniard from Celta Vigo in the summer of 2016, which was Pep Guardiola’s first transfer window at the Etihad.
He had played under Guardiola at Barcelona in the past and left them for Benfica in 2011. Two years later, he returned to Spain when Celta Vigo signed Nolito.
In three seasons, he managed 39 goals and 23 assists and that caught Manchester City and Barcelona attention. Luis Enrique had previously managed Nolito at Celta and was keen on bringing him back to the Camp Nou in 2016.
When the newspaper directly asked how close his return to Barcelona was, he reveals Pep Guardiola convinced him to join Manchester City.
_“A lot, a lot, a lot. But I had a family problem… But the idea was to return to Barcelona. Then uncle Pep came and called me to City, and we decided to go to England. There, to see the darkness \[laughs\],”_ he said.
The former winger managed six goals and five assists from 30 games for Manchester City during the 2016/17 season. He lost prominence towards the end of that season and then returned to Spain by joining Sevilla in July 2017.
Sport say he had spells at three great European clubs; Barcelona, Benfica and Manchester City.
On this, Nolito explained: _“I’m privileged, I was privileged and I am very proud of myself, even if I say so myself._
_“Before I didn’t give it so much importance, but I have been lucky to debut in Guardiola’s Barcelona at the level that it was at that time, who won everything. I have played for Benfica, the best club in Portugal, Manchester City… I’m not complaining._
_“At Celta it was the happiest moment of my entire career. I love Celta Vigo. I have been privileged, because I have done what I wanted since I was little, and they have paid me a lot of money.”_