Franck Kessie may have only spent one season at Barcelona , but his connection to the club clearly remains strong.
The Ivory Coast captain had a memorable single season under Xavi Hernandez , even scoring the winning goal in a league-deciding Clasico .
In a recent interaction with Mundo Deportivo , Kessie has spoken warmly about his relationship with Xavi and his time in Catalonia, making it clear that his Barça spell still holds special meaning for him.
Asked about former manager Xavi, Kessie said:
"I speak with Xavi still now. I also talk with him about the great players who are here now. He has won two titles with Barcelona (I think), and I get along very well with him."
Kessie's time at the club was not especially long, and he never became an undisputed starter, but the relationship with the coach appears to have been positive and respectful.
Kessie spent only one year at Barcelona. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Kessie joined Barcelona at a complicated moment for the club. He arrived as a free transfer, bringing physical power, midfield experience and a different profile to a squad still being rebuilt.
His role was not always easy. Barcelona's midfield was crowded, and the team's technical demands meant adaptation was never going to be automatic.
However, through the course of the season, the former AC Milan midfielder had his moments in a Blaugrana jersey.
When a player speaks well of Barça after leaving, especially one who did not always have a guaranteed place, it reflects well on the environment he experienced.
A strong bond with Barcelona despite a short stint. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
Kessie was also clear about what the club meant to him. He said: "For me, whether it was a year, six months, or four days, I was happiest playing here."
That is the kind of line that matters. Not every player needs to spend a decade at the club to understand the weight of the shirt.
Kessie's departure made sense financially and sportingly at the time. Barcelona needed room, the player had market value, and his role was not central enough to block a move.
That does not mean that the relationship ended badly, though. His comments are a reminder that the Catalans still carry emotional power for players.
Even in difficult financial years, even with pressure and constant scrutiny, the club remain a place footballers remember differently.
Kessie came, competed, scored a goal that hurt Real Madrid and left with affection. That is a short Barça story, but a good one.
