Take Kubo, on loan at Mallorca from Real Madrid, returns to Barcelona

"Take Kubo will play at Camp Nou one day." A phrase which was repeated at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper when the Japanese youngster was at Barcelona. Years later, he will, although not as expected. Take will do in the shirt of Mallorca, where he is on loan from Real Madrid. A combination which few would have believed months ago. 

What happened last summer has been explained several times. Barça decided that they didn't want to make the financial effort it would have took to re-sign Take and Real Madrid, who had followed him for years, moved quickly. After doing preseason with Madrid's first team, he joined La Liga side Mallorca on loan and has become a key player for Vicente Moreno's side.  

LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT 

The story begins with Oscar Hernandez spotting Take in the FCB Escola in Fukuoka. The then Barça coach was clear that he had to take him to La Masia. Take lived next to Camp Nou and would make the 15-minute journey to training with Oscar, who took responsibility of him when he came to Catalonia. Now he will return to Camp Nou in Mallorca colours. "There will be extra motivation for him at Camp Nou. I remember one time I took him to the stadium and he said he would like to play there. He's managed it, although not with the shirt that I would have liked," confessed Oscar, with a certain sadness at the fact Take's not playing for Barça.  

A DERBY 

Take created a lot of expectation at Barça. He played under Marc Serra. It was a golden generation. In goal was Arnau Tena, in defence was Eric Garcia, Sergi Rosanas, Adria Altimira and Ivan Bravo. In midfield was Guillermo Amor and Nil Fabrego and further forward, Take played alongside Ansu Fari. Two emerging stars. They gelled perfectly. On and off the pitch. And with Eric Garcia, who is now playing for Pep Guardiola in Manchester City's first team. That year was unforgettable for those that follow La Masia closely. The generation showed so much promise. And with reason, as we are now seeing. 

Everyone remembers a game against Espanyol from that era. The most demanding game of the season. Especially that year. Adria Bernabe was on the Espanyol team. He was so good. He ran games on his own and the next year would join Barça (and later Man City, with Eric Garcia). The league was tight and there was a derby with a few weeks of the campaign to go. That's when the best players have to appear. the Ansu-Take duo was fantastic and Barça struck five times in the win en route to the title. The FIFA ban separated them but they could have been reunited at Camp Nou on Saturday. However, Ansu's out with an injury. Take will be there, though, to demonstrate that Barça erred not re-signing him. He's desperate to prove himself. And he will.