FC Barcelona once again has Thiago Alcântara as part of its technical staff. The former Azulgrana youth player, as expected, returned to work with Hansi Flick in Thursday's training session at the Ciutat Esportiva, after his initial short stint with the Culé staff last summer.
Thiago helped Flick in the first weeks of the German's tenure at the helm of the Barça squad in 2024, but he had to return to England in September of last year to resolve personal commitments in Liverpool, several months after his retirement as a professional footballer.
Now, the man from San Pietro Vernotico can dedicate himself 100% to his work as a field assistant in Barcelona, a club to which he formally returns 12 years after his departure. Alcântara signed for Bayern Munich in 2013 for 25 million euros and won everything with the Bavarians in eight seasons.
Thiago Alcântara Returns to Barcelona to Make History Alongside Hansi Flick
According to the club's official statement, "the former player arrives at Barça as an assistant to the coach in tactical matters and collaborating, among other tasks, in the preparation of training sessions".
In 2020, after winning the treble (Bundesliga, Pokal and Champions League), Thiago left for Liverpool for 22 'kilos'. Although he was important for the 'Reds' in his first months, physical problems prevented him from showing his best version in the Premier League.
After a couple of years greatly affected by injuries, the former Spanish international decided to end his career in July 2024 at just 33 years old. Thanks to his good relationship with Hansi Flick when they both coincided at Bayern (in 19/20), the coach opened the door for him to return home as part of his technical staff.
With Barça, Thiago Alcântara played a total of 100 official matches with the first team, scoring 11 goals and providing 19 assists. The presence of Sergio Busquets prevented him from settling in the Azulgrana team, but even so, he managed to lift 12 trophies with the club, including the Champions League in 2011.
From now on, his objective will be to help the technical staff win the 'big-eared one', the only title that escaped the Culés in 24/25. Similarly, the team aims to repeat its local dominance, aiming to revalidate the crown in La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Spanish Super Cup.
Flick also recovers Raphinha and Araujo after the break
During Thursday's session, Hansi Flick was able to count, for the first time in the week, on the entire squad at his disposal. Raphinha and Ronald Araujo were the last to join the squad after the double matchday of international matches, so they worked exclusively in the gym.
Both had action with Brazil and Uruguay, respectively, on Tuesday night (Wednesday morning in Catalonia) and will only return to train with the group on Friday. The other who continues to work on the sidelines is Frenkie de Jong, due to the minor injury he suffered last Thursday with the Netherlands.
Barça already has its sights set on Sunday's match against Valencia (21:00 CEST), which will be the Azulgrana team's first home game in LaLiga 25/26. The fourth matchday will be played at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, while awaiting the operational licenses for the reopening of the Spotify Camp Nou.