Marc Bartra has insisted that he always felt he was good enough to get in the Barcelona starting XI.
The young defender has enjoyed an extended stay in the side following injuries to Javier Mascherano and Carles Puyol.
And after impressing at the heart of the Blaugrana defence, Bartra has claimed that he always knew he was going to succeed at Camp Nou.
“I don’t know why I knew,” he told Sport. “But I have been here all my life and have grown at Barca.
“I was born to play this game. So in my head, it was always going to be Barcelona. I’ve never been anywhere else, so this is the only club I know.
“I knew when I had an opportunity I had to take it, and hopefully that’s what I’ve done. I have always believed in my ability.
“I knew that I had to have patience, but my teammates have told me that I should have confidence in myself.
“I cannot hide the fact that there has been some hard times, but it is something that has made me stronger as a player and as a person.
“It’s not easy when you’re struggling to get minutes – but there are two roads you can go down: either fall apart, or accept it and work harder.”
