Since his return to FC Barcelona as part of Hansi Flick’s coaching staff, Thiago Alcántara, the brother of Rio 2016 Olympic champion Rafinha and son of world champion Mazinho, has played a very flexible role within the Blaugrana institution.
Initially, the press rumoured that Thiago’s presence at Barça training would be limited to serving as a translator, as, thanks to his extensive knowledge of English, German, Portuguese and Spanish, the former Liverpool midfielder could help Flick convey his ideas to the Spanish-speaking players.
However, after several weeks working at the Catalan club, Diario Sport has reported that Thiago Alcántara’s role is exceeding expectations, being a very valuable piece in the sporting organisation of the German strategist, Hansi Flick.
Bienvenido de vuelta a casa, Thiago ❤️ pic.twitter.com/x8Z9vsqxRc
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) July 17, 2024
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Thiago Alcántara’s role at Barça: confidant, guide and mediator
The aforementioned source assures that Thiago Alcántara’s role at FC Barcelona is centered on three key bases: acting as a link between the players and the coaching staff, being the “good cop” in training and, finally, helping and guiding the youngsters, mainly the midfielders, thanks to his extensive experience in the European elite.
Due to his excellent career and for being a respected figure in the Blaugrana institution for having been trained there, Thiago Alcántara has quickly earned the respect and admiration of many of the youngsters who were under his command in the preseason in the United States, which has generated a climate of closeness with Thiago, but without losing respect for him.
Not in vain, it was already seen during the last pre-season match, against AC Milan, that Thiago has persuasive powers in the dressing room, convincing Vitor Roque to take a penalty that, initially, the Brazilian had refused to take.
In addition, the aforementioned source also speaks of a small incident in the Barça dressing room in which one of the players, frustrated by the intensity of the training session, refused to continue participating in the dynamics and it was Thiago who convinced him to rejoin without Hansi Flick having to intervene.
Initially, Thiago Alcántara was convinced by Flick to carry out a formative role in his coaching staff, helping him get started in a highly prestigious dugout, but it is hoped that his influence and impact will continue to be felt in the long season to come.
Qué bien que volviste, Thiago pic.twitter.com/9KCZTHHNh3
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona_es) July 19, 2024
