Former Spain midfielder Thiago Alcantara is preparing to begin his coaching journey with Barcelona under Hansi Flick in the coming weeks.
Having recently retired from playing after his contract with Liverpool ended this summer, the 33-year-old is renowned for his elegant playmaking and midfield excellence.
Thiago initially rose to prominence at Barcelona, where he achieved four La Liga titles and a Champions League triumph during his tenure.
Born in Italy to former Brazil international Mazinho, Thiago’s football odyssey began in Brazil before he moved to Spain, where he enrolled in Barcelona’s prestigious La Masia academy in 2005.
Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Thiago made his debut for the first team in 2009 and swiftly garnered acclaim as a budding star, frequently drawing comparisons to club icon Andres Iniesta.
Thiago reunited with Guardiola at Bayern Munich in 2013, where he spent seven successful seasons, winning the Champions League in 2020. He then joined Liverpool in 2020, playing under Jurgen Klopp and adding to his impressive career achievements.
Thiago represented Spain in several major tournaments, where he showcased his technical prowess and vision in midfield, although he did not win any international titles during his tenure.
Throughout his career, Thiago achieved an impressive total of 27 club trophies, highlighting his consistent success at the highest levels of football.
Thiago’s move into coaching follows a final season disrupted by injuries, limiting his playing time to just five minutes in Liverpool’s matches.
His appointment to Hansi Flick’s coaching staff at Barcelona represents a significant step in Thiago’s football journey, where he aims to apply his extensive experience and tactical knowledge to contribute effectively to the club’s coaching setup.
