Pablo Torre talks Lamine Yamal, Flick, Barcelona exit – ‘I’d like to return one day’ | OneFootball

Pablo Torre was one of the many players to leave FC Barcelona this summer, with the youngster joining RCD Mallorca on a permanent transfer.

Torre had been on the Catalans’ books since 2022, having arrived from Racing Santander. Despite showing glimpses of his potential, the young midfielder was never able to establish himself as a regular.

With the likes of Dani Olmo, Fermin Lopez, and Gavi ahead of him in the pecking order, Torre decided that the time was right this summer for him to move on in search of a more prominent role.

Torre opens up on Barcelona departure, relationship with Flick

Having sat down for an interview with Radio MARCA, Torre opened up on his decision to leave Barcelona to join Mallorca this summer.

“I have incredible affection for everyone, from the board, who always treated me great, to all the players, the people inside the club,” said the midfielder, reminiscing his time at the Catalan club.

Continuing, he added: “The truth is that they are good guys. They are incredible on the pitch, but they are also incredible people in the dressing room and off the pitch.

“I really miss the people, but I keep in touch with them and it was a pleasure for me to be there and learn from all of them, because they helped me improve a lot in every aspect and it was incredible for me to play for Barça.”

Shedding light on when he decided to leave, Torre explained: “Well, in the end, you start to see it, you want to play.

“It’s true that in the end you’re at Barça and it’s difficult to leave, but as time goes by and you don’t play, you start to think about it, you start to talk about it, where you’re happy is on the pitch, and as the season goes by, you start to think about it.

“It’s also true that nobody wants to leave Barça and it’s difficult to leave. I learned a lot there too and I think it’s an experience. I don’t regret being there at all, even though I didn’t play.”

Pablo Torre left Barcelona for Mallorca. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)

Torre had previously gone on record about how he felt that manager Hansi Flick was not always fair to him with regard to playing time. Elaborating on that, he said:

“I handled it well. It’s true that there were certain matches where I thought I could come on and play for a few minutes, and I think I had earned them. It’s also true that there are a lot of great players, especially in midfield.

“But it’s also true that in certain matches, in the end, you always think about yourself. It’s selfish, especially when you don’t play that much.”

Continuing, he said: “There were some games that we were winning, where he could have given me some minutes to keep everyone happy, and he didn’t do it for whatever reason.

“I respect that, of course, but you think about yourself. I told him that, I talked it all through with him. You say what you think and that’s it.”

Torre left the door open for a future move back to Barcelona, conditional to him having a more prominent role.

“Well, like I said, I’m happy playing here. Obviously, it’s Barça, and if I return with a different role, at the end of the day it’s Barça and it’s been my dream. So, of course I’d like to return one day with a different role,” he said.

On his former teammates

Despite leaving the club, Torre revealed that he forged a close relationship with several of his former Barcelona teammates.

“Well, Balde, Iñaki Peña, Cubarsí. To be honest, I didn’t know Cuba this year and we got on incredibly well, then with people like that from the B team, with Sergi Domínguez I also got on very well, with Gavi, incredible,” he said.

“I don’t want to leave anyone out, then with Eric I spent three years together, I still talk to him.”

Talking about Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal and how it was to play with the teenage sensation, Torre said:

“Easy. He’s crazy at 18 now, but everything he’s done at 17, even at 16, is incredible talent, I don’t need to say anything.”

Further praising him, Torre added: “Technically, he’s incredible, but now, even physically, he’s an animal. He can put in effort all the time, repeat actions, go after you, kill you, have fun… he’s incredible.”

As to whether he would give Lamine the Ballon d’Or this year, the midfielder replied: “Yes.”