Damián Díaz opens up on why he skipped Barcelona's centennial and his return to the club

There are dates an idol misses by choice, not by chance. That's what happened with Damián Díaz during Barcelona Sporting Club's centennial in the 2025 season: the veteran midfielder was absent from the Noche Amarilla, and for a long time that absence raised questions among the fan base. Now back at the club that made him an idol, the 'Kitu' opened up about why he stepped away during such a special year.

Speaking with El Canal del Fútbol, Díaz was direct: it wasn't about wounded pride or a falling out with anyone. "It's not about resentment, it's about respect and codes. My family suffered a lot because of a bunch of things that go on around it, I decided to step away," explained the Argentine-born, naturalized Ecuadorian.

A deliberate absence, not an imposed one

What stands out is that Damián himself admits his time away was also, in a way, a form of self-care. The centennial season wasn't a good one for the Toreros on the field, and the 'Kitu' believes that had he been there, the blame would have landed squarely on his shoulders.

If I had been there for the centennial, they would have torn me apart and said I was to blame for everything because it was a pretty bad year for the club. Things happen for a reason, it wasn't the moment to be there, and the truth is I want to focus on what's happening now. I'm happy and I want to enjoy it.Damián Díaz

That statement sums up pretty well how the midfielder thinks these days: he'd rather look forward than relive a moment that, by his own admission, wouldn't have done any good for the club or for his history with the institution.

A return with noise in the background

When he finally returned to Barcelona, Díaz knew it wouldn't be an easy road. The outside perception, he says, wasn't exactly friendly. Still, the team delivered on the field in its last two matches, and that, for him, felt special.

I knew it was going to be really tough, I knew most people wanted things to go badly for us so they could go after me, so they could say it was a disaster, that IDV was going to put three past us and Aucas this and that. That didn't happen and it bothers them.Damián Díaz

Beyond the result itself, the midfielder was clear about his priorities: he doesn't play to silence personal critics, but to contribute to the group. "Whether we won or lost wasn't going to change what I know I can give to the club. I dig in harder for the good of the group, not for personal reasons, and what matters most to me is that the team wins," he added.

Some advice for Kendry Páez

The interview also touched on the current situation of Kendry Páez, the young Ecuadorian talent going through some ups and downs in his career. Díaz, drawing on years of experience in the game, called for patience and balance for the midfielder, who is linked with Chelsea and River Plate.

"People expect more and more from him, I hope things go well for him. He has the chance to play for Chelsea, to go to River. He needs to find balance, but with responsibility," he said. He went further, putting the pressure surrounding young stars in perspective: "These are things he'll have to go through. They're tough moments, but nothing serious. Serious is people who have to go out and work at 5 in the morning, people who lose a family member."

Remembering Mario Pineida

Toward the end, Díaz couldn't hold back emotion talking about Mario Pineida, the defender he shared a locker room with for years at Barcelona and who passed away recently. The 'Kitu' described how hard it was to process the news.

"He was my brother, we roomed together for five years. We had talked that very afternoon and the news hit me hard. I went two or three weeks without sleeping, without eating," he admitted, revealing a more personal side behind the player now wearing the yellow jersey that made him an idol once again.