Casado talks Flick, La Masia, El Clasico, Camp Nou, Barcelona future – ‘Looking forward to having a long career here’ | OneFootball

Speaking in an exclusive interview with SPORT, Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, linked with a potential departure, has made it clear that he wishes to stay at the club for a very long time.

A product of La Masia, Casado has lost prominence in Hansi Flick’s team this season, falling way down the pecking order in the midfield department.

As such, the Spaniard has been tipped for a departure at the end of the season, with interest coming from Saudi Arabia.

However, during the interview, Casado expressed his deep-seated love for Barcelona and insisted that having a long career at the club is what excites him the most.

“I wouldn’t say ‘achieving’. What I’m most looking forward to is having a long career spanning many years at Barça,” he said.

On the Clasico

With Barcelona set to face Real Madrid in El Clasico on Sunday, Casado was asked about his first experience of the encounter last season, when he starred in a 4-0 win for the Blaugrana.

After that game, he had called it ‘one of the happiest days of his life’. On whether he still feels the same way, Casado said:

“Definitely, it was my first Clasico, a great win for the team at the Bernabeu. On top of that, as you say, my first assist for the first goal.

“It was a wonderful night that I’ll never forget. There have been some other really wonderful ones since then, but I’m sure I’ll never forget that one.”

On whether there is excitement for the upcoming Clasico as they can win the league title on Sunday, he replied:

“Yes, of course. The main thing, as the manager said, is to win it. It doesn’t matter where, when or how.

“But it goes without saying that for both the team and the fans, it would be very special to win it against Madrid, at home, in front of the fans. It would be wonderful.”

Connection with fans at Camp Nou

Talking about the fans and the special atmosphere that Barcelona players have experienced since returning to the Spotify Camp Nou, Casado explained:

“I think the supporters have connected a lot with this team. I believe it is because there are so many young home-grown players, and because people can see on the pitch that we give absolutely everything. The supporters really appreciate that.

“They have been incredible throughout the whole league season in helping us achieve good results, especially at home. It is very important to have that atmosphere in the stadium because it helps us a lot during matches.”

Casado loves playing at Camp Nou. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Continuing, he added: “It helps the whole team so much when they applaud a good action or encourage you to keep pushing. It helps us a lot when that happens. This year as well, and last year too. Since returning to Camp Nou, it has helped us enormously.”

When asked about the connection with the fans for him personally, Casado stated: “Yes, yes, there have been moments when I have felt that affection very closely and I am very grateful.

“I think if little Marc, the Marc from the past, could see this, he would be amazed. Being in the Barça first team and connecting with the supporters. I think that is the most beautiful thing of all and I hope it can always stay this way.”

On La Masia and his journey to the first team

Unlike Lamine Yamal or Pau Cubarsi, Casado had to wait for his time to break into the first-team setup and spend a couple of seasons with the reserve team, Barça Atletic.

Reflecting on his journey to the top, Casado said: “There are different ways of reaching the first team. Some players skip many stages and it works well for them, we are talking about Lamine, Cubarsi and many others.

“I progressed little by little without skipping any stages, even repeating a year in Juvenil B, I remember. That was key in helping me reach the first team. It helped me learn things in every situation and continue improving as a player until now.”

Continuing, he added: “Everyone has their own qualities, and with the right combination, they either make it or they do not. Obviously, for some people, talent has been enough, and they have not needed patience because they arrived very quickly…”

Talking about how everyone has talent, but how patience is important in such situations, the midfielder explained:

“Yes, of course, otherwise it is difficult. But in other cases, like Fermin’s or mine, we needed more patience, we had to work harder for it or go through more stages, as I said.

“There are different ways of making it, and one is not better than another. The important thing is to be there and help the first team.”

Talking about how the core of the first team is now fully made of La Masia graduates, he added:

“Yes, I think it helps a lot to have a foundation of academy players. During Barça’s golden era it was also like that. It helps us maintain the style of play because we have all come through the ranks learning the same way of playing for many years.

“It helps us understand each other much better because we have known each other for a long time, and I think that combination helps the team play better and win more titles.”

Discussing how that is something that manager Hansi Flick has understood and adapted to, Casado added:

“Yes, he likes talking with the players, he communicates what he feels, and he has helped us win all these titles over these seasons.”