'Football does not end at Barca' - No regrets for Thiago
Most players would do anything to play for Barcelona, but Thiago Alcantara says there is more to football than the Catalan giants.
Thiago Alcantara insists he has no qualms over his decision to leave Barcelona, while he is tiring of the Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi debate.
The midfielder enjoyed three years within Barca's fabled La Masia youth system before making his debut as an 18-year-old in 2009.
Four years and several major trophies later, Thiago opted for a move away from Camp Nou to Bayern Munich in search of regular first-team action, linking up with Pep Guardiola, who had handed him his Barca bow.
Three straight Bundesliga crowns have vindicated that decision, and Thiago believes it was the right one to make.
"I do not regret having gone from FC Barcelona. Football is global, it does not end at Barca," Thiago told Mundo Deportivo, while his feelings on representing Spain over Italy or Brazil are similar.
"I was right choosing to play with Spain. It is a pride, the decision was easy. I love Spain," he added.
"One of my dreams is to lift a title with Spain. I lifted titles in the past that did not feel like mine."
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
Thiago had the pleasure of playing alongside Messi at Barca, but the ongoing argument over who is the greatest on the planet is growing old for the midfielder.
"I'm tired of comparing Messi and Cristiano. It's not healthy for football," he said.
‘Maybe I’ll be signed by Wrexham, who knows? English football would suit me – if an offer came, I wouldn’t think twice, I’d go immediately’ Euro 2024 cult hero reveals his UK dream
‘Managing Leeds? It was an option that appeared, but it wasn’t the right timing. I decided it wasn’t a good idea to leave the club I was at mid-season’: Premier League boss admits to turning down opportunity to replace Jesse Marsch in 2023