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Pjanić: “I would have liked to return to Juventus”

Miralem Pjanic during the pre-season friendly match between FC Barcelona and Gimnastic de Tarragona (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)
Miralem Pjanic during the pre-season friendly between FC Barcelona and Gimnastic de Tarragona (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

Miralem Pjanić recently did an interview with Tuttosport, where he talked about Ronald Koeman, his wish to return to Juventus and more.

Pjanić (31) recently left FC Barcelona for Turkish side Beşiktaş JK after just one year in Catalonia. The Bosnian midfielder already expressed his unhappiness about the way he was treated by Ronald Koeman, but now revealed more about his career during an interview with the Italian newspaper Tuttosport.

About leaving FC Barcelona for Beşiktaş:

“They (Beşiktaş) really wanted me during the last few days of the transfer market and I couldn’t stay in Barcelona with Koeman. I would’ve lost another year, which I didn’t want to happen because I want to play. Beşiktaş is the Turkish champion, they’re in the Champions League and… they have a black and white shirt (just like Juventus). They welcomed me very well, it will be another great challenge.”

About a possible return to Juventus:

“There have been contacts and appointments with my agent, but the market is never easy. I would’ve liked to come back and I would’ve done everything to play for Allegri again. I love Juventus, I’m attached to the fans and I have an excellent relationship with president Agnelli. But in football you have to look ahead and, since first of all, I’m a professional, I now want to have a good time at Beşiktaş.”

About playing with both Leo Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo:

“I feel very lucky: playing with two players that are from another world is worth a trophy. They’re different, Leo and Cris, but also very similar: they live to compete and to win, even in training. Cristiano takes care of every little detail, but don’t think that Messi is not a hard worker. Leo, however, has a unique gift: he manages to do everything with extreme simplicity.”

About the favourite player he has played with:

Paulo (Dybala) has a lot of weight on his shoulders, but he’s already a champion. I was lucky enough to play with Ronaldo and Messi. Cris and Leo are out of this world, but Paulo is the one I enjoyed the most with: it was beautiful as it was easy to find him between the lines and if you ask him for the one-two, you know for sure that he will return the ball to you perfectly. Dybala is a top player, but like everyone else, he needs the rest of the team.”