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Regretting His Goodbye to Barça. From Star to Fallen Star, He Confirms: 'i Made a Mistake...'

He was one of La Masia's youth academy players with the greatest potential and left for money.

Ilaix Moriba has had many experiences in the beautiful game despite being only 22 years old. Years ago, he emerged as one of the greatest talents from La Masia, to the point of having many opportunities in the first team with Koeman. Despite the trust, the Guinean took advantage of his early breakthrough to try to earn a lot of money, forcing his move to Leipzig.

In 2021, while Barça wanted to renew him, Ilaix Moriba made the decision to leave for Leipzig, where they offered him a lot of money. The Barça team took advantage of this to make money from his sale, transferring him for a figure exceeding 16 million euros. Now, years later, he has publicly expressed his regret, indicating that he clearly made a mistake by making this hasty decision.

Soccer player in action during a match, wearing a dark blue uniform and kicking a ball on the field.
Ilaix Moriba is now at Celta | Getty Images

Ilaix Moriba Confirms It 4 Years Later: "I Made a Mistake"

In statements published by his own representation agency, Ilaix Moriba has not held back and has spoken about this matter. "I made a mistake leaving Barça. I was very young and had a lot of pressures," he began by saying.

Moriba didn't stop there, adding: "For a moment I thought everything was over. Luckily now I'm happy at Celta. I want to show everyone that I have the soccer that everyone knew me for."

Ilaix Moriba Has an Uncertain Future

Leipzig is fed up with Ilaix Moriba and wants to get rid of him as soon as possible. His contract ends in 2026 and the plan is to sell him this summer. He is currently on loan at Celta de Vigo, which would intend to pay his purchase clause, valued at 4.5 million euros.

In 2021, Barça sold Ilaix Moriba for more than 16 million, and now, in 2025, Leipzig is willing to part with him for just over 4.

A player in an FC Barcelona uniform on the field.
Ilaix Moriba regrets his departure from Barça | Getty Images

Meanwhile, Ilaix Moriba regrets his decision to leave FC Barcelona years later, the reality is that the club is practically overjoyed. The youth player has become one of the biggest sales in recent years and has never shown all the potential he seemed to have.

At the time, Ilaix Moriba moved solely for money and threw his career away. He still has time to redirect it, but it seems that nothing will be as it was thought, unfortunately for him.