"It's crazy, a lot happened in one year," Martin Braithwaite has told The Guardian when asked about his Barcelona departure.
"After recovering from injury, I thought I would continue. I was ready, I'd put in the work, but I saw I wasn't needed. It was strange. There's a lot happening, a lot of politics. I had proved I could be important but didn't get the chance.
"That's part of the game, how businesses are run sometimes. I knew the club wanted me to move, but I also knew it wasn't for football reasons. It's in the past, a life experience.
"Don't hold on. I don't take these things too personally. I know myself, my value. People can't paint a picture or push me. It's pretty obvious what was happening, what they were trying to do – not just with me, but others. Sometimes saying nothing says a thousand words," the Dane added.
Under Xavi, Braithwaite played just 22 minutes in 2 games. That's despite him being fully fit for the second half of the season.
The forward scored a goal in his debut game for Espanyol. He joined them as a free agent after his Barca deal was terminated.
