Leipzig: Ilaix Moriba's fall from grace
Ilaix Moriba is no longer wanted at Leipzig, a hammer blow for the former Barça wonderkid
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There is a world of difference between being a huge prospect and delivering at the top level, and Ilaix Moriba is learning that the hard way. The Guinea international was seen as a can't-miss talent at Barça. Africa and the wider football world thought they had a gem on their hands. He had shown his full potential in a match against Real Madrid in 2021. Since then, though, the midfielder has been in the doldrums. He first refused to extend his contract with Barça, forcing the club to sell him for 16 million euros. Next stop: Leipzig in Germany. Many expected him to take the Bundesliga by storm. It did not happen. After a very difficult first half of the 2021-2022 season in Germany (6 matches, no starts), he joined Valencia on loan, where he played 18 games, 12 of them as a starter.
The Che club then negotiated a new loan for the 2022-2023 campaign. Ilaix Moriba made 28 appearances in all competitions, 12 of them as a starter, and finished with 1 goal and 2 assists. However, the Spanish club did not keep him, so he returned to Germany.
No future for him in Germany
Could that give his career a fresh start? Not at all. The 20-year-old midfielder is not part of the club's plans. Head coach Marco Rose said so himself. "I have had one or two good conversations with Ilaix, and he is aware of his situation, that it will be difficult to get playing time. But he is doing very well so far, in terms of his attitude and also the way he trains", the coach said of Ilaix Moriba. A message that could land like a hammer blow in the middle of pre-season.
Another sign that Ilaix Moriba has gone backwards is his market value. The Guinean is now valued at 4 million euros. A dramatic drop, given that barely two years ago he was worth 25 million euros on the market.