Manchester City ace explains how Barcelona shaped his career – ‘It was very demanding, but…’ | OneFootball

Former Barcelona midfielder Nico Gonzalez has offered an honest and thoughtful comparison between two defining chapters of his career, reflecting on his present life at Manchester City and his formative years with the Blaugrana.

Nico’s move to Manchester City in February 2025 marked a major turning point. 

After leaving FC Porto, the switch to the Premier League represented not just a change of club, but a complete shift in rhythm, intensity, and expectations. 

At the time, the midfielder openly accepted that adapting to such a demanding environment would not be immediate.

Now, ten months into his City journey, that uncertainty has been replaced by confidence and clarity. 

Looking back, Nico has no doubts about how important this period has been for his development. 

Accepting the difficulties

Speaking in a recent interview with DAZN (h/t Mundo Deportivo), he admitted that the early weeks were challenging, especially from a technical and physical point of view.

“At first, I wasn’t used to the ball being so fast. I wondered if I would be able to play at that level. 

Nico has settled in well at Manchester City. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

“Now I watch videos from last year and this year, and I can see that I’ve been able to adapt. This season is the best of my career,” said the 23-year-old midfielder.

Despite his current happiness, Nico did not forget where his professional journey truly began. 

Reflecting on his years at Barcelona, he highlighted how intense and educational that experience was. 

“When you realise everything that professional football entails, all the noise around it, especially in a place like Barcelona, you have no choice but to mature. 

“It was very demanding, but I also enjoyed it a lot and learned a lot during those years,” he noted.

Today, Nico appears to be benefiting from everything he experienced along the way. 

Barcelona gave him the foundations, Porto provided a platform to rebuild confidence, and Manchester City have offered him the stage to flourish.