Ilaix Moriba back in the spotlight

Moriba's career could not end like this. He enjoyed a dream start at Barça, his youth club. He even impressed Lionel Messi, who did not hesitate to take him under his wing in Catalonia. The Guinean has phenomenal talent but has struggled to show it on the pitch.

Ilaix Moriba adrift since leaving FC Barcelona

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In March 2021, Ilaix Moriba was the centre of attention. He scored his first goal as a professional against Osasuna in La Liga, a moment he savoured at the time. "I still can't believe it. Leo gave me the assist, I don't even know how I pulled off that dummy, and with a bit of luck it ended up in the back of the net. I'll never forget it, this memory will stay with me until the grave, and I dedicate it to my parents. I always dream of scoring, I started playing football because I loved scoring, otherwise I would have been a goalkeeper. With Koeman, there's a lot of competition in training, whether you're young or not. We have to learn from the veterans, who help us a lot. During the match, Messi told me to shoot, and that's what I did", he told Movistar after the game.

Several observers felt Moriba had a very bright future in football, above all at Barça. Unfortunately, he was unable to kick on at FC Barcelona, having refused to extend his contract. In the summer of 2021, he left his youth club for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga. And that marked the start of a long ordeal.

Ilaix Moriba failed to establish himself at RB Leipzig. He lost his football. Despite loan spells at Valencia and Getafe, the Conakry native did not find the ideal setting to confirm his talent on the pitch. His early momentum has been completely derailed.

Read also : Getafe-Ilaix Moriba: "I made mistakes"

Moriba absent from the Syli's latest camps

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Ordinary at club level, Moriba has always delivered for the national team. At the last AFCON in Ivory Coast, the 21-year-old midfielder was among Guinea's best players. He had Kaba Diawara's complete trust, and his departure last summer changed things. Michel Dussuyer took over the Syli National bench last September, replacing Charles Paquille.

Read also: Guinea: Ilaix Moriba's non-selection causes controversy

The French coach has made bold decisions. He left Moriba out of the October and November FIFA international breaks, because of the youngster's inconsistent performances for Celta Vigo. He had a very average start to the season before exploding into form in recent weeks.

The Guinean gem is rediscovering his best level

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This season, Ilaix Moriba is on loan from RB Leipzig at Celta Vigo until 30 June 2025, with an option to buy. At the Galician club, the Guinean has found a familiar environment and a coach who has complete faith in him.

Claudio Giráldez González relies heavily on Ilaix Moriba. Better still, the Spanish coach is giving him all the time he needs to get back to his best. That patience is starting to pay off, and we are gradually seeing the Moriba of FC Barcelona again. He has clearly stepped up a gear: unplayable in midfield, impressive in tight spaces, a constant threat in attack...

According to his coach, Moriba has yet to hit his peak. "The best of Ilaix is still to come. He does things very well and has progressed a lot. Watching him day to day is a joy, with the energy he gives us and how well liked he is in the dressing room ", he said.

Ilaix Moriba has one assist in 13 La Liga games this season. Those aren't great statistics, but the Conakry native is hugely valuable to his team's play. In midfield, every ball goes through him. He averages 0.8 key passes, 0.4 dribbles, 1.7 fouls won, 1.5 long balls, 88.6% pass accuracy, 1.8 tackles and 0.4 interceptions per game.