Keita: I spent the best four years of my life at Barça

One of the most attractive features of the Joan Gamper trophy this season between Barcelona and Roma, will be the presence of Seydou Keita, who played for Barça between 2008 and 2012. The central midfielder will return to play at Camp Nou on Wednesday 5th August.

In statements given to Barcelona's official website, the Mali international said he was "very happy" to come back and play in front of the supporters which he had throughout four seasons. "It will be a friendly without the pressure, but I will be able to enjoy the game more," he said.

Keita has not forgotten the years that went by with Barça and has it clear that "they were the best four years of my life, on a personal level as much as on a footballing one, and I won't forget that."

"The fans have always treated me with a lot of affection, they never whistled me. I can say that it is like coming home, I won everything here."

The central midfielder believes that Luis Enrique, like Pep Guardiola, can achieve a six-trophy haul, but notes that "it is complicated because they were different situations. Now they can also win six titles, but the most important thing is that they win the triple again."

He also shared some thoughts about Barça's trident of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez. "Everyone who knows football will say that they are one of the best trios in world football. How many goals they scored last season isn't something normal. Nor is it normal for a team to be able to put together three players of such quality."

The midfielder asked for the fans to remember him as "a player that gave everything during his four years of playing," and "as a person that wore the shirt with dignity and respect for the club. This is all I ask."