When Barcelona were European champions back in the summer of 2015, they surprisingly offloaded seven players from their roster — so whatever happened to these athletes who left the Spanish club?
After Luis Enrique secured victories like those of Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan following Barcelona’s Champions League triumph, the team managed to defend both La Liga and the Copa del Rey titles consecutively, even though they couldn't keep hold of their European crown.
In 2015, Barca said goodbye to seven players, and largely, this was the correct decision. However, what has become of these players since then?
Xavi
In 2015, Xavi declared his exit and promptly signed with the Qatari club Al-Saad, remaining with them until he retired four years after joining.
In 2019, the renowned midfielder took over as the manager of Al-Saad, impressing Barcelona supporters with his team’s fluid and attractive style of play.
It seemed just a question of time before he took over as Barca’s new leader, and no one was astonished when Xavi came back to Camp Nou in November 2021.
In 2023, he claimed victory in La Liga, yet found it challenging to leave a significant mark in European competitions and subsequently departed from the team following the conclusion of the 2023-24 campaign.
Gerard Deulofeu
In the summer of 2017, marking the beginning of the Ernesto Valverde era at Barcelona, the team triggered a buyback clause included in Deulofeu’s contract with Everton from two years prior. This move brought him back to the Catalan side for slightly more than £10 million.
However, by January 2018, he had only managed to make 10 La Liga appearances before returning to England, where he joined Watford on loan initially and later signed permanently.
The Spanish player moved from Watford to Udinese – with both clubs under the ownership of the Pozzo family – however, he has not played any matches since early 2023 because of a severe knee injury.
In January 2025, Udinese ended his contract.
Ibrahim Afellay
A lot of excitement surrounded the Dutch winger when he joined Barcelona in 2010. Nevertheless, he found himself struggling for playing time during his tenure in Spain before being transferred to Stoke City after going through a series of loans.
Throughout his career, injuries constantly plagued the Dutch player, leading him to retire prematurely at the age of 34.
What I desired did not occur," Afellay stated when he retired. "However, I am content with it. You understand that this moment would arrive eventually. This is for the best.
Now aged 38, the former Barcelona winger works as a pundit for Dutch broadcaster NOS.
Pedro
You may be aware that Pedro is still turning out for Lazio, the Roman club coached by Maurizio Sarri who are through to the Europa League quarter-final.
He has managed to score 10 goals in 33 matches played so far this season, which spans from 2024 to 2025.
Sure, but seriously. Pedro? The champion from the 2010 World Cup? A key player in Guardiola’s offense with Barcelona? The one who played for Chelsea under Jose Mourinho? Is that the same Pedro?
We're incredibly impressed that the 37-year-old is still competing.
Alen Halilovic
Touted as Barcelona’s equivalent of Martin Odegaard due to being signed as a highly gifted youngster, Halilovic has not managed to fulfill his potential in the same manner as Arsenal’s captain.
The Croatian midfielder never made a La Liga appearance for Barcelona and was sold to Hamburg after two years. Stints at AC Milan, Birmingham and Reading have followed.
Halilovic is still just 28 years old and is presently suiting up for the Eredivisie club Fortuna Sittard.
Denis Suarez
We could delve into the specifics of the Spanish midfielder's unconventional career trajectory - marked by numerous loan spells, complex buyback clauses, and unfulfilled promises - but suffice it to say that Suarez has found it difficult to settle down. This struggle was particularly evident during his multiple tenures at Barcelona.
Although he made more than one hundred appearances for Celta Vigo, he was transferred to Villarreal just when it seemed like he had found stability. His career could be aptly described as nomadic.
Adama Traore
Nobody could have foreseen that the speedster forward from Barcelona’s La Masia academy would follow the career trajectory he has taken so far.
His sole La Liga outing for Barcelona came when he replaced Neymar in their 4-0 victory against Granada in November 2013.
At only 17 years of age back then, he never played in another league game.
He has subsequently played for Tim Sherwood’s Aston Villa and Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough, before establishing himself at Wolves as a lightning-fast winger known for his slick moves.
Traore had a short loan stint with Barcelona in the 2021-22 season, despite the fact that the La Liga powerhouse chose not to offer him a permanent contract. Currently, he both frustrates and excites fans playing for Fulham.
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