Xavi Punishes FC Barcelona Star For ‘Busy Nightlife’ Activities: Reports

Xavi Hernandez has punished an FC Barcelona player for his “busy nightlife” activities, El Nacional has reported.

Pablo Torre arrived at Camp Nou to fanfare last summer after impressing at Racing Santander. Given he is a Spanish midfielder of a similar age picked up for an identically paltry €5 million ($5.5 million), comparisons were immediately drawn to Pedri.

Unlike the number ‘8’, however, who did this under Ronald Koeman in 2020, Torre hasn’t been able to immediately force himself into Xavi’s first team plans upon arrival and has racked up just
just
239 minutes across all competitions.

According to El Nacional, however, this isn’t just down to tactical or technical decisions and the competition that Torre faces in the center of the park from the likes of Pedri, Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong.

The Catalan digital newspaper reports that Torre is also being punished for his “busy nightlife” activities, which have seen Barca legends in the past such as Gerard Pique and Ronaldinho fall foul of coaches including Pep Guardiola.

With the La Liga title practically tied up, Torre now has to work hard and show Xavi he is worthy of opportunities during the run in until the end of the season.

After that, he could be moved on if his lot has not improved, whether that is through a permanent sale or being shipped out on loan.

SPORT reported last week how Torre is convinced he can make things work in Catalonia and is “very happy with how he has progressed training with the first team”.

Furthermore, the 20-year-old would prefer to keep learning on the job in Blagurana as opposed to embarking on a temporary loan assignment as has been seen with Nico Gonzalez and Ez Abde.

While Morocco international Abde looks set to be called back to his parent club due to a lack of options Xavi has at right back, plus the club’s financial difficulties which make them unable to buy reinforcements, Nico appears destined to stay at Valencia for at least another term but is secure until 2026 due to a contract extension penned last August.