Riqui Puig: Being on the pitch at the Camp Nou is impressive LaLiga - Barcelona Been at the club since childhood

As Ernesto Valverde looks to put his faith in the La Masia academy, Riqui Puig has admitted that being on the Camp Nou pitch was impressive, especially since he has been with the club since he was a child.

Boca Juniors were the visitors on Wednesday afternoon for the Joan Gamper Trophy match, the traditional curtain raiser in the Blaugrana's season.

"It was impressive to be on the Camp Nou pitch because I've been here since I was a child," he explained to Barca TV.

"These guys in the team have made everything much easier.

"It's a group that helps you a lot and then you simply feel a part of the team on the pitch."

With Valverde having given Puig a run of matches throughout pre-season, the midfielder was quick to praise the impact of the former Athletic Club coach.

"Ernesto told me to play as I know how," he intimated.

"He made clear that the team would help me.

"We were able to play with a lot of space."

There is the possibility that Puig will train with the senior team for the majority of the campaign and not just the pre-season, and this is something the Spaniard would relish.

"You feel more comfortable here because you're closer to home [than on tour]," he admitted.

"The people are very good.

"I've always got the maximum support from everyone."