After a long career in FC Barcelona's youth ranks, where he captained the youth team, and playing for clubs like Albacete and Algeciras, Montes decided to quit just after recovering from a severe cruciate ligament tear, a moment he described as his breaking point.
I have taken a weight off my shoulders and I feel very motivated, because I am a vital person, and for a long time I have not been. I lived in a spiral of negativity for many years.
The player was highly critical of the professional football environment, claiming it fails to care for the individual. He rejected offers from the MLS and the Romanian league to return home, where he will now work and study while playing for CE Manresa.
“"No one ever asked me on the street how I was. And before being a footballer, I am a person."
Montes confessed that during his time at La Masia and his early career, ego and appearance were paramount, admitting he bought a car he couldn't afford just to keep up with teammates. He also denounced the widespread hypocrisy and lack of genuine empathy among fellow players.
