Former Barcelona youngster Ez Abde made a shocking move as he departed Barcelona just before the end of the summer transfer window.

Abde was highly-rated at Barca, and it was expected that he’d grow his career at the club.

Surprisingly, the youngster left to Real Betis, and he has explained why.

Abde was presented to the local media earlier today, and claimed that he left Barca because of Xavi.

He said, “From the first day that (sporting director) Ramón Planes contacted me I told him that I only wanted to go to Betis.

“I didn’t fear that it would be the case that I wouldn’t come. I trusted Ramón Planes and knew what was going to be done.

“Interest from other clubs? Could be. From Barça they told me that they wanted me to stay, but in the first three games Xavi didn’t put me in and I wanted to get out of there, because I wanted to play from the start.”