Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago Alcantara insists he made the right decision to leave Barcelona and has no regrets leaving his boyhood club.
The 25-year-old Spain international joined the Bundesliga giants three years ago after becoming frustrated with his limited playing time at the Nou Camp and has since gone on to score ten goals in his 94 appearances for Bayern in all competitions.
Once considered the natural heir to midfield maestro Xavi Hernandez, the majority of Thiago's 100 appearances for Barcelona came as a substitute after his breakthrough in 2009 under Pep Guardiola.
The 25-year-old had also signed a long-term contract in 2011, which reportedly included a €90m release clause, but Bayern were able to sign the then-22-year-old for just €18m due to the fact that he had not made the required amount of first team appearances.
"I do not regret having gone from Barcelona. Football is global, it does not end at Barca," he told Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, as quoted by Sportskeeda.
The Italian-born midfielder has gone on to win three Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian giants but has been troubled with persistent injury problems, meaning he has yet to establish himself as a permanent fixture in Carlo Ancelotti's first eleven.
Thiago, who has 17 caps for Spain, insists he was right to represent them at senior international level. Having had the option to play for Brazil through his World Cup-winning father Mazinho, and Italy, the midfielder chose Spain due to his 'pride' and 'love' for the country.
"I was right choosing to play with Spain. It is a pride, the decision was easy. I love Spain," he said. "One of my dreams is to lift a title with Spain. I lifted titles in the past that did not feel like mine."