Russian football legend accuses Barcelona of not signing him because he was 'ugly' | Barca Universal

"Viktor Onopko is regarded as one of the most gifted footballers Russia has produced. He was a footballing icon for the country, especially in the 90s. Currently serving as the assistant manager of the Russian national football team, Onopko has raised a few eyebrows with his statement about Barcelona. Onopko's viral claim about Barcelona In a recent interview with El Bigote de Abadía, Onopko revealed that he was linked to Barcelona at one point in his career."

"Onopko arrived in Spain in 1996, signing for Real Oviedo. He spent six years at Oviedo, featuring in 222 competitive matches before joining Rayo Vallecano in 2002. A centre-back by trade, Onopko played for Vallecano for just one year before returning to his native Russia, signing for Spartak Alania. He eventually retired in 2006. "I signed with Oviedo in the summer of 1995, but then I went in the winter. I wanted to put a clause that if a club put in one more dollar, I could go to that club. " They told me yes, but they deceived me. Because Atleti made an offer for me, but I couldn't go to Atleti," Onopko began (h/t Forbes)."

""I recently found out that Barcelona wanted to sign me. But [Johan] Cruyff or one of his assistants said I was ugly, and that's why they didn't sign me," he said. Although the move did not work out for Onopko, he still ended up as a hero in La Liga, featuring in over 200 matches in the Spanish top-flight while representing the Russian national team 109 times. Aged 56, Onopko has started his coaching career as well."

Viktor Onopko enjoyed a distinguished playing career as a centre-back, establishing himself in Spain with Real Oviedo and Rayo Vallecano and appearing in over 200 La Liga matches. He represented Russia 109 times and retired in 2006 after a final spell with Spartak Alania. Onopko claims Barcelona once wanted to sign him but that a coach or assistant called him "ugly," which he says prevented the move. He began coaching after retirement and currently serves as an assistant to Valeriy Karpin with the Russian national team while also working as an assistant coach at FC Rostov.

Read at Barca Universal