In 2012, Barcelona underwent a major overhaul of its squad. Several players left the club for various reasons, including retirement, transfer requests, and lack of playing time. Let’s take a closer look at who left Barcelona in 2012.
Eric Abidal
One of the most emotional departures from Barcelona in 2012 was that of Eric Abidal. The French defender had been an integral part of the team for six years, helping them win numerous titles including two Champions League trophies.
However, Abidal was diagnosed with liver cancer in early 2011 and underwent surgery to remove a tumor. He made a remarkable comeback to the team just over a year later but was not offered a new contract by Barcelona at the end of the 2011-12 season.
Seydou Keita
Seydou Keita had been an important player for Barcelona since joining from Sevilla in 2008. He was known for his versatility and ability to play in multiple positions, as well as his work ethic and professionalism.
However, Keita decided to leave the club in 2012 after growing frustrated with his lack of playing time. He joined Chinese Super League side Dalian Aerbin on a free transfer.
Jeffren Suárez
Jeffren Suárez was once considered one of the brightest prospects at Barcelona’s famous La Masia academy. He made his first-team debut in 2009 but struggled with injuries and failed to establish himself as a regular starter. In 2011-12, he only made three appearances for the club and decided to move on to Portuguese side Sporting CP.
Maxwell
Maxwell had been a reliable backup left-back for Barcelona since joining from Inter Milan in 2009. However, he was approaching the end of his career and wanted more playing time than he was getting at Barcelona. He left the club in 2012 to join Paris Saint-Germain, where he played for three more seasons before retiring.
Cristian Tello
Cristian Tello was another product of Barcelona’s youth academy who had shown great promise in his early career. He made his first-team debut in 2011 and scored some memorable goals, including a brace against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League. However, Tello struggled to establish himself as a regular starter and was loaned out to several clubs before eventually joining Real Betis on a permanent basis in 2017.
Thiago Alcântara
Perhaps the most controversial departure from Barcelona in 2012 was that of Thiago Alcântara. The talented midfielder had been tipped for greatness and was seen by many as the natural successor to Xavi Hernandez. However, he grew frustrated with his lack of playing time and decided to leave the club for Bayern Munich, where he would reunite with former coach Pep Guardiola.
Conclusion
Overall, the departures of Abidal, Keita, Jeffren, Maxwell, Tello, and Thiago marked the end of an era for Barcelona. These players had all played important roles in the team’s success over the years but were deemed surplus to requirements by new coach Tito Vilanova. While some fans may have been disappointed to see them go, Barcelona quickly moved on and continued to dominate both domestically and internationally in the years that followed.