City ran out 1-0 winners in the Joan Gamper Trophy thanks to Martin Petrov’s first-half strike.
And Hughes, who spent an unsuccessful spell at the Nou Camp as a player, says the experience gained from playing against the European champions was priceless.
“One of the main reasons I agreed to the game was because I felt it was an experience we needed,” he said.
“We are a young team, we are developing as a team and the opportunity to come to the European champions, compete with them, was vitally important.
“I wanted them to enjoy the experience and that’s why I gave most players the opportunities; for the young players, the opportunity of playing at the Nou Camp was a great experience for us,” he said.
Hughes was impressed with Barcelona’s young side, but said City’s Slovakian youngster Vladimir Weiss was better than any of the Catalan prodigies on show.
“Barcelona have great depth, great young talent, but I thought Vladimir Weiss was the best young player out there tonight,” he said.
Video: