Oriol Romeu Opens Up: “What Hurts Me the Most Is…

Oriol Romeu took center stage during the MIC presentation, where the Ulldecona native, alongside Cata Coll, discussed his situation at Barcelona and the team’s outlook following the announcements of Pedri and De Jong’s absences. “It’s tough because, in the end, they are crucial players who contribute a lot. I’ll continue to be ready for whatever the coach needs, working on whatever is necessary, and when my turn comes, I’ll step up,” he declared.

Addressing the team’s criticism after the draw against Athletic Bilbao and the perceived lack of ambition, Romeu pointed out, “It was frustrating not to win in Bilbao.” The midfielder explained how he’s navigating his second stint as a Barcelona player and handling challenging moments. “The start was good; I enjoyed the games, but then performance dropped. So, it’s more of a personal issue: How can I regain my best form and enjoy playing again, as I did last season? You try to improve the sensations through good minutes, good games because what hurts you the most is not being able to help your teammates, finishing the match and saying: today I go home with a good feeling. When that doesn’t happen, you think about it a lot during the week,” explained the former Girona player.

“No mental health issues have arisen” Romeu dismissed any rumors of having mental health problems, stating, “Fortunately, there have been no mental health issues, it hasn’t gone that far. The thing is, you don’t enjoy it as you’d like on the field, and then you try to work, establish a daily routine, actions that boost your confidence and help you grow.”

“Fortunately, the sensations are getting better, and I’m optimistic that the end of the season will be good. I want to enjoy the last 2-3 months, compete, and live beautiful experiences,” he added.

The Barça player also offered advice to the younger players regarding dealing with the media and the environment: “[In other teams], you kept moving forward because there wasn’t as much noise about what you did, neither from the public opinion nor the environment. The player is aware of what happens during the game, the mistakes, and what they do well. There’s no need to delve into social media to interpret it because everything gets magnified.”

“Sometimes, they put you very high, just as they put you very low, and it’s harder than usual to get out of a negative situation. You have to surround yourself with those who have always been there, giving you their most honest opinions,” concluded Romeu.