Nolito has expressed his anger during a press conference over reports during the January transfer window about him possibly leaving Celta Vigo to sign for Barcelona. The Spain international was particularly upset about suggestions he had feigned a hamstring injury that has kept him sidelined for 16 games in order to facilitate his move to the club where he played between 2008 and 2011.

“People have said that I pretended to be injured to move to Barcelona. It hurts me to my heart to have to deny things like this. I am a Celta player and I belong to Celta; if anyone wants to sign me they have to talk to Celta and if the club thinks the offer is acceptable, they have to tell me and I have to decide,” Nolito said.

“Even my mother called me to ask me about it. I told her that I was focused on training and playing. If I ever leave Celta you know I’ll be the first one to say something. I’m not the one who’s in charge.”