"Barca are going to regret having let Kubo go to Real Madrid"

Kubo left the Barcelona academy, but now he is a Real Madrid player. He plays on loan at Mallorca and he is showing his quality on the pitch every day. So much so that Mallorca have become very popular in Japan. Joan Vila, one of those who spotted Kubo's talent, spoke about him to 'AS'. 

"A coach from here, Oscar Hernandez, made a report about a player in Japan in 2009. He explained that he had found a different player who was very intelligent and had great talent. When Take realised that Barcelona did not count on him and were not going to make him an offer, he started crying," he said on the player's arrival and then departure from Barca.

He also highlighted the aspect which most surprised him about the player: "His intelligence on the field of play and how he converted it in each action of play. He was first to every ball, he was quick physically and mentally. He stood out above the rest. He is a very well disciplined player, but does not prevent him from also being creative and brilliant."

And what did he learn from his time at La Masia? "The talent he was born with has increased since he came here at the age of eight. He learnt to play football with teammates and everything has made him more creative and confident. At 19, he is already a very complete player."

On the fact he is now a Real Madrid player rather than a Barca one, Vila said: "It is one of the biggest errors that the club have made in recent years. We are going to really regret having let Kubo go and putting him on a plate for Real Madrid."

"It is an error uncharacteristic of a club like Barcelona. Letting a young talent go like that is very serious, but it is even worse if it a striker because they are very highly valued and sought after in the market," he added. "When I think about it (not being able to watch him play alongside Ansu Fati), I feel helpless."