Quim Junyent, a former Barcelona midfielder who spent ten years in La Masía, has joined Almería as part of their push to return to LaLiga EA Sports. The 19-year-old, recently crowned UEFA European Under-19 champion with Spain and named MVP of the tournament, departed Barcelona despite deep personal ties to the club, citing his ambition to reach the highest level as the driving force behind the move.
Why did he leave Barcelona after a decade at La Masía?
Junyent described the departure as difficult due to his family, friends, and emotional connection to Barcelona, where he grew up. However, he emphasized his ambition to achieve more, stating: "Es difícil porque tengo 19 años, tengo mi familia, mis amigos, todo lo tengo allí, pero soy un chico ambicioso, busco lo mejor para mí, quiero llegar a lo más alto." He added that Almería’s strong belief in his potential was decisive in his decision to join.
How is he adapting to life at Almería?
The midfielder praised the tranquil and cheerful atmosphere of Almería city, saying it has helped him settle in. After his appearance against Tenerife, he said: "Ante el Tenerife me encontré bien, con buenas sensaciones, y poco a poco voy a encontrar mi mejor versión." He acknowledged the need to quickly adjust his mindset to the faster pace and higher intensity of professional football in Segunda División.
What are his goals for the season with Almería?
Junyent aims to become an important player for the team by the end of the campaign and to look back on the season with pride in his performances. Collectively, he shares the club’s objective: securing promotion to LaLiga EA Sports, a goal he believes is within reach given Almería’s confidence in his abilities.
What role can he play in midfield?
Describing himself as a versatile footballer, Junyent prefers to receive the ball in various zones and participate actively in build-up play. He enjoys having possession and operating freely across midfield, traits he hopes will allow him to grow into a key contributor as he adapts to the physical and tactical demands of senior football after his formative years at Barcelona.
Almería currently sits fifth in LaLiga with 3 points from one win, level on points with the playoff places and just three behind leaders Sevilla. Their next fixture is at home against Rayo Vallecano on August 31, a match they hope to build on their early-season momentum. For updates on upcoming games, visit our fixtures page, and to see how the squad is shaping up, check the squad section.
