Sergino Dest broke new ground for American soccer when he signed with Barcelona, becoming one of the few U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) players to join the Catalan giants.

At just 19, he found himself playing alongside legends, learning from veterans like Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba.

For a brief time, it seemed Dest was on the path to becoming a key figure in Barcelona‘s future. But things took a dramatic turn when Xavi Hernandez took over as head coach.

Dest had a promising start after joining the Catalan giants in 2020, learning from Messi and adapting to the style of the team.

However, the arrival of Xavi in 2021 marked a significant shift in Dest‘s fortunes at the club. In an interview with The Athletic, Dest opened up about how Xavi’s tenure affected his confidence and opportunities.

“When Xavi came, I didn’t get fair opportunities anymore. I didn’t feel appreciated, and my confidence level was lower,” Dest admitted to The Athletic.

Initially, Dest was told by Xavi that he would be an important part of the squad for the next season, but he was later advised to leave, which left the American defender feeling confused and disappointed.

Xavi and Messi’s exit combined to hinder Dest’s progress

While Xavi’s leadership played a part in Dest‘s struggles at Barcelona, the departure of Lionel Messi to Paris Saint-Germain in 2021 also had a profound impact.

Dest, reflecting on his time with Messi, expressed regret over not having more time to build a partnership with the Argentine icon.

One of his career highlights came during a match against Real Sociedad, where he scored twice, with Messi assisting on one of the goals. Dest recalled Messi‘s unique ability to set up the perfect defense-breaking pass, a skill not all teammates could adapt to, but which he had learned to anticipate.

“We had built rapport. I started to feel more comfortable in the team and knew what I had to do,” Dest explained.

He believes that if Messi had stayed, his second season could have been much more successful at Barcelona.

Alongside Messi, Jordi Alba also had a strong influence on Dest‘s development. Alba emphasized the importance of focus and concentration on the field, a lesson Dest continues to carry with him as he moves forward in his career.

Despite the frustrations and a string of unsuccessful loan spells, Dest remains grateful for the experience of playing at Barcelona.