Alexander Hleb's Barcelona nightmare: Regret, loans, and a shocking training secret
Alexander Hleb's move to FC Barcelona in 2008 proved difficult from the start. The midfielder, signed for €15 million from Arsenal, struggled to adapt and later admitted he regretted leaving London. Now, a former teammate has revealed unusual behaviour during his time at the club—including mixing alcohol into his training drinks. Hleb joined Barcelona from Arsenal in a high-profile transfer. But his time at the Camp Nou never took off, with just 19 league appearances over four years. The club quickly loaned him out to VfB Stuttgart, followed by spells at Birmingham City and Wolfsburg.
In 2020, Hleb spoke openly about his regret. He admitted he didn't understand why he left Arsenal, where he had been happy working with the coach and playing for a top team. New details have now emerged about his behaviour at Barcelona. Albert Dalmau, a former youth player, claimed on the *Montiliving* podcast that Hleb added alcohol to his Gatorade bottle during pre-season training. The incident suggests the player may have been disengaged, possibly knowing his exit was near. By 2012, Barcelona released him for free. Hleb then returned to Russia, though little is known about his career after that move.
Hleb's transfer to Barcelona ended as a costly misstep for both player and club. His limited playing time, loans, and eventual free departure marked a sharp decline from his Arsenal days. The revelation about his training habits adds another layer to a career that took an unexpected turn.
