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- Unai Left Barca after contract talks stalled
- Credits new surroundings for growth burst
- Midfielder praises Spanish stars
The 20-year-old midfielder left Barca in January after receiving a lucrative offer from Al-Ittihad. With his contract set to expire and no renewal offer from Barca, Unai made a bold decision in the beginning of this year to leave behind his childhood dream for a new challenge in Saudi Arabia, and it’s already paid off. But the offer from Al-Ittihad, combined with the uncertainty around his future at the club, made the decision clear. In just a few months, that gamble has already paid off: Unai has lifted two trophies with the Saudi Pro League giants and quickly adapted to life in Jeddah, calling the experience “a piece of cake.”
Unai spent over two seasons with the Blaugrana, working his way through the ranks and dreaming of a first-team debut. However, uncertainty over his future and a lack of movement from the club prompted his departure. He’s since flourished alongside stars like Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante, and Fabinho, who he “admired and played with on the PlayStation,” proving that success is possible outside of Europe’s elite leagues.
He made nine league appearances for Al‑Ittihad in the 2024–25 Pro League campaign. He has settled quickly into his new surroundings, contributing goals and assists in his debut months. The move has not only boosted his confidence but also expanded his perspective, openly stating that “football doesn’t end at Barca.” For him, the Middle East isn’t just a detour, it’s a platform to grow, compete, and potentially carve a unique path back to European football in the future.
Faced with uncertainty and the dream of a first-team debut slipping away, Unai received a lucrative and timely offer from Saudi giants. The decision wasn’t easy, but as he explained while speaking to Sport: “Ever since I joined Barca’s youth system, I was clear that my goal was to make my first-team debut. I’m a Barça fan, and it’s been my dream since I was little. Due to circumstances, it wasn’t possible, and I was very clear that football doesn’t end at Barcelona; there are many more opportunities to play at a high level. You can always come back. Those last few weeks were frustrating; my contract was ending, and I had to look for a way out. When the offer from Al Ittihad came, it was easier. They were complicated weeks of deciding, leaving your home, the club you wanted to make your debut for…”
Unai’s leap into the unknown has already yielded major rewards: “It was a piece of cake. I didn’t expect two titles in so few months. I came here with the mentality of improving as much as possible, of learning. I was told it would be a period of adaptation, but in the end I managed to play quite a few minutes, help the team with goals and assists, and win these two titles that are so important for the club.”
Unai is focused on developing further at Al-Ittihad, learning from legends and adapting to a new style of play. While he admits it was hard to leave Barca, he hasn’t ruled out a return someday. With top-level exposure and titles already under his belt, his career trajectory could see him back in Europe stronger than ever.
