They grew and emerged at Barça. They tried their luck in other teams. And finally they crossed the ocean to live and enjoy Major League Soccer (MLS), the league in the United States and Canada. “I had a great experience. We won almost everything”, explains Cristian Tello, who after breaking into Barça football and living his golden years at Betis, managed to touch metal with Los Angeles FC, the reigning MLS champion. He is not the only one. “I was reunited with Ilie Sánchez. We shared many years at Barça B. Also with Carlos Vela and Gareth Bale”, he adds.

Ilie Sánchez, who was captain of Barça B during a well-remembered era and achieved promotion to the Second Division with Luis Enrique in 2010, decided to return to MLS after an experience in Munich 1966 and a transfer to Elx. He serves La Vanguardia at the facilities of Los Angeles FC, where he arrived after five years in Kansas. “The first team won everything and had the best players in the world, two for each position,” he says. “Playing with Bale surprised me a lot. He was very methodical and hardworking. I didn’t want to be the center of attention”, says the Welshman, who retired after winning the MLS. Bale left and Los Angeles FC welcomed another from the squad, Sergi Palencia, who accompanies him during the conversation with this newspaper. “I had Alves in front, but also Sergi Roberto,” recalls the right-back. “But life doesn’t end at Barça”, he reflects. Los Angeles FC is barely a franchise that was formed in 2014 and began competing in 2018. The reigning MLS champion is here to stay and to continue fueling the rivalry with the other team in town. Els Ángeles Galaxy, from another youngster like Riqui Puig. “The rivalry is growing. We beat them at home, which had never happened before. They beat us later in the Rose Bowl. This match set a regular season MLS attendance record with 82,110 fans,” recalls Ilie, who became a national in April and could play in the next World Cup with the United States if called up. “In September it’s time for revenge”, they say.

Riqui Puig’s Galaxy also includes Oriol Rosell. Another one of the squad that has no intention of returning to Europe. In fact, he was the first to bet on MLS. “I’m the one everyone asks,” admits Rosell, who in 2013 also became the first Spaniard to win the MLS. It was in 2013 with Kansas “That’s what I’m taking with me”, he says. They all value and follow their Barça. “We are calm with Xavi. The team will do great things this year,” says Rosell. They are also looking forward to the arrival of Messi, Busquets and Alba at Inter Miami. “It will be my turn to cover Leo and Sergio”, says Ilie, who is already waiting for September 12 to receive them. “We all know the Messi-Alba game. Now it will be my turn to avoid her”, says Palència jokingly. They will all go to see the match that was played last morning at the SoFi Stadium between Barça and Arsenal.

Víctor Vázquez will not be there, one of the players who will also be reunited with Messi after starting with the Argentine in base football. A knee injury cut short his progress. “But I’ve had a full career, I’m carrying the Barça brand around the world,” says Vázquez, who at 36 answers La Vanguardia’s call from Toronto. “When I retire I want to train. At the moment I’m having fun, I’m enjoying Xavi’s Barça and I’m looking forward to September 20, when we’ll play against Messi, Busquets and Alba. It will be a matter of pride”, he concludes.