Malcolm is a talented football player who left Barcelona Football Club in 2018. His departure from the club was a shock to many fans and football enthusiasts.
There were several speculations about his reasons for leaving, but the truth eventually came to light. In this article, we will examine the reasons why Malcolm left Barcelona.
Background Information
Malcolm Filipe Silva de Oliveira, known as Malcolm, is a Brazilian professional footballer born on February 26, 1997. He started his career playing for Corinthians before moving to Bordeaux in 2016. After two successful seasons with Bordeaux, he joined FC Barcelona in 2018.
The Transfer to Barcelona
Malcolm’s transfer to Barcelona was a significant milestone in his career. The club paid €41 million for his services and signed him on a five-year contract. The Brazilian forward was expected to bring more attacking options and depth to the team.
The Struggle at Barcelona
Malcolm struggled to get regular playing time at Barcelona due to stiff competition in the team’s forward line-up. He found himself behind Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Ousmane Dembele, and Philippe Coutinho in the pecking order.
Despite limited playing time, Malcolm showed glimpses of his talent when given opportunities by former coach Ernesto Valverde. He scored a crucial goal against Real Madrid in the Copa Del Rey semifinals. However, he was not given enough chances to showcase his capabilities.
The Controversial Departure
After just one season at Camp Nou, Malcolm left Barcelona under controversial circumstances. He joined Zenit St Petersburg for €40 million amid rumors of disagreements with Valverde and dissatisfaction with limited playing time.
The move caught many people by surprise since it was believed that he would be loaned out instead of being sold permanently. Many fans and football pundits criticized the club for selling a young talented player with great potential.
The Reason for Leaving
The primary reason for Malcolm’s departure from Barcelona was his desire to play more regularly. He felt that he was not given enough opportunities to showcase his skills and contribute to the team’s success. Malcolm expressed his frustration with Valverde’s decision not to play him frequently.
Furthermore, Barcelona had signed Antoine Griezmann in the summer of 2019, which further reduced Malcolm’s chances of getting regular playing time. The Brazilian forward felt that it was time to move on and seek new challenges elsewhere.
The Conclusion
In conclusion, Malcolm left Barcelona due to limited playing time and a desire for more opportunities to showcase his skills. His departure was controversial, but it provided him with a fresh start at Zenit St Petersburg. Despite his struggles at Camp Nou, Malcolm remains a talented footballer with great potential.