The 23-year-old, who the Blaugrana snapped up in January 2020, was informed of his release at Camp Nou back in June after taking just 17 minutes of competitive playing time.
Fernandes didn’t believe in his release from Barca without warning
Matheus Fernandes has slammed Barcelona for breaking his contract without warning, with the Brazilian midfielder claiming that the La Liga giants “did not treat me as a footballer.” The 23-year-old, who the Blaugrana snapped up in January 2020, was informed of his release at Camp Nou back in June after taking just 17 minutes of competitive playing time. He was firmly frozen by Ronald Koeman, much to his surprise, but no warnings was given that his deal would be terminated during a cost-cutting summer in Catalonia. Asked by reporters to explain his shocking exit at Barcelona, the Brazilian – who has since returned to Palmeiras in his homeland – admitted: “I didn’t know, and when they told me, I couldn’t believe it.”
Barcelona didn’t treat Matheus like a professional player
“I was at home; I was meeting with my wife and got a message from the club asking if I have the same email address. I confirmed it, and then I got it. I didn’t get it; I sent it to my manager and my lawyer. They said that it was my dismissal. Time passed, and my name appeared in the press. No conversation, nothing, not even a call to say hello and goodbye. I always had a dream as a child to play for the Blaugrana. When I got there, they didn’t treat me as a footballer. I told the director that he didn’t treat me like a professional Barcelona player. I was a Barca player, and I wanted to be treated like one. The other players had a presentation, and I didn’t. I was really upset.
“Looking at it from the outside, I thought one thing, but when I got there, they treated me differently.” The La Liga giants have been forced to clear their decks this summer in an attempt to meet wage caps in Spain. They are looking to register several new signings while also getting talismanic captain Lionel Messi tied to a new contract after seeing him hit free agency. Fernandes has been a victim of that, with the South American having been hastily moved on. His solitary outing for Barcelona came in a Champions League clash with Dynamo Kyiv on November 24, 2020, with 17 minutes seen of the bench in a 4-0 win.