Pep Guardiola tells Riqui Puig to be patient at Barcelona

Pep Guardiola has offered Barcelona youngster Riqui Puig some advice and has told the midfielder to be patient at the Camp Nou.

Puig was officially promoted to the first-team last season but struggled for game time and only managed two La Liga starts.

Guardiola and Puig were both at a golf tournament in Mallorca on Monday where the former Barca coach offered the youngster some words of advice.

“Iniesta did not start until he was 24 years old. People think that playing for Barça, coaching Barça or leading it is easy. Everything has its difficulties. He is a strong boy, he has qualities, it is a matter of persistence. Complain little and move on. Football will always end up giving back to you if you’re determined to keep going.”

Source | Catalunya Radio

There have been reports recently that Barca activated a clause in Puig’s contract to extend his deal until 2023, although it’s by no means certain he will stay at the club.

Puig has made it clear on several occasions he’s determined to succeed at Barca but Joan Laporta’s decision to stick with Koeman means he may struggle for game time again.