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Six years of the best Masoliver

After six years at the club during which he’s always given everything he can for the team, Miquel Masoliver is leaving Barca and reflecting on his time he commented: “I’ve won many titles and I’ve grown up here, both as a player and a person”.

Miquel Masoliver signed for Barca at the start of the 2003/04 season from the Portuguese club Infante de Sagres. “At the beginning it was complicated because I came from a different type of hockey, with a different mentality, but coming back home here was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had”.

The Catalan defender reckons his six years at the club ”have more than met my expectations and I’ve won many titles and I’ve grown up here, both as a player and a person”.

“This has been the best club in the world and now I know why that is – because there has been a lot of hard work put in and a lot of talent here. You can see that everyday. All my teammates are fantastic. I’ve been able to bring my little bit to the group and learn from everyone, which is very important” Masoliver has certainly grown up on court, but he’s also done plenty off court too.

”Special Person”

Maso’s simplicity and honesty have always been a reference point for the squad.

“For me, Maso is a special person”, according to Alberto Borregán, who spoke very movingly of his now ex-team mate at his send-off supper, whilst coach Quim Paüls dedicated a couple of phrases from a Hindu philosopher to him: “generosity is about giving more than you have yourself” and “pride is accepting less than you need”, both highly applicable to Masoliver.

The fans have also always recognized his special qualities and he was nicknamed the Catalan Patriot by Penya Sang Culé for his insistence on playing for Catalonia and his refusal to play for Spain.

Knee op put off

His commitment to the team, often at his own expense, was clearly shown when he was told a couple of months ago that he should have an operation on his knee. Both Barça Sorli Discau, Xavier Valle, and Quim Paüls were aware of the problem, but Masoliver insisted “if I have the operation now then there will be moments when the team needs me and I won’t be there”, and decided to put off his treatment until the end of the season.

Back to Vic

Miquel Masoliver is going back to Roncato Patí Vic, the team where he played for five years at the start of his career: “it’s a different atmosphere, but I’m going to a team who are now competing with Barca and that’s really positive. One period is over and another one is starting”, concluded Masoliver, a player who will certainly be remembered by the Barca fans.