One of Barcelona’s former players has admitted he could have joined Manchester United at the very start of his career.
Full-back Martin Montoya has revealed that he turned down the chance to join Manchester United’s academy just like Gerard Pique.
Pique signed with Manchester United in 2004 and played 23 first team games before rejoining Barcelona, realising there was a better chance for first team football due to the brilliance of the players in his path.
Montoya told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo that he could have joined United, a club he recognises as the biggest in England.
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Photo by JOHN THYS / AFP via Getty Images
Martin Montoya could have joined United
Martin Montoya played at right-back for Barcelona between 2011 and 2015, serving as a back-up to Dani Alves.
He explains: “When I was young I was close to playing for Manchester United.
“They come to offer you contracts like they did with Cesc Fabregas or Pique they offered you four years in England, but at that time I didn’t want to.
“My dream was to play for Barcelona. For me, United is the biggest team in the Premier League.”
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Montoya achieved his dream of playing for Barcelona, making his debut during the 2010/11 season under Pep Guardiola. He had previously been playing for Barcelona B under Luis Enrique.
During his time at the club, Montoya did not develop into an elite player like Pique did, but he did contribute to three La Liga title winning campaigns for Barcelona, playing 67 times in total.
United’s interest showed how the club continually tried to recruit young talent from across Europe.
Montoya’s career might have turned out differently at United, perhaps he would have developed into a top player, or perhaps he would have sunk without a trace and failed to achieve what he did with Barcelona.
It is not a situation where either club or player should really have regrets, but Montoya’s words about United being the biggest club in England still resonate – despite the recent lack of success.
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Martin Montoya retires
Martin Montoya made the revelation as part of an interview in which he confirmed his retirement at the age of 34.
After loan spells with Inter Milan and Real Betis, Barcelona sold him to Valencia in 2016. He later had a two-year stint in the Premier League with Brighton.
Montoya then returned to Betis, before a spell in Greece with Aris. Recently he had been without a club and has confirmed his retirement.
“It’s not official because I haven’t posted it on Instagram, but yes, it’s really over. I was waiting for offers that suited me and my family, and since nothing came up, I stopped playing.”
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