Nigerian Fullback Reveals How He Joined Barcelona; Hails Ex-Teammates Bellerín, Adama Traore
Published: June 10, 2020BK Hacken defender Godswill Ekpolo has spoken about how he ended up at Barcelona, stating that he was monitored at close quarters during a youth tournament, where his team faced the Catalonia giants in the final.
Ekpolo was teammates with Arsenal star Héctor Bellerín and top dribbler in this season's English Premier League Adama Traore at La Masia and he has lauded the qualities of the former Barcelona wingers.
Speaking to Göteborgs-Posten (subscription required), Ekpolo said : "They looked at another player in my team. He was left-footed - and good. But I played well in that tournament.
"We met Barcelona in the final and lost by 8-1. I made the goal! I was a midfielder back then. After that, Barcelona told my coach that they wanted me."
The former Nigeria U23 international revealed that he was more than delighted to join Barcelona when he was ten years old.
"Crazy! That feeling ... At first, I didn't believe it. And when I got there, the level was so high.
"All the guys were so good. Héctor Bellerín was one of the best they had then. Even Adama Traore. He's a year younger than me, but he was so good. I was one of the bad guys," added Ekpolo.
Ekpolo made his debut for Nigeria's U23 national team in a friendly against Brazil back in March 2016 and trained with the Dream Team VI before the Olympic Games but was dropped from the final roster.
Ifeanyi Emmanuel
Copyright ANS
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from allnigeriasoccer.com
Latest News
- Photo: Eberechi Eze takes son of ex-Super Eagles star Victor Moses under his wing at Crystal Palace
- Osimhen's replacement: Napoli contact Man Utd over signing one-cap England international
- Official: Millwall release three Nigerian players ahead of next season
- Rangers boss provides fitness update on Super Eagles CB ahead of Scottish FA Cup final v Celtic
- Ex-Celtic midfielder tears into Dessers after close-range miss in Rangers' six-goal thriller v Hearts
- Birmingham City exercise option to extend contract of son of former Super Eagles midfielder
- Invincibles: Victor Boniface on target as Bayer Leverkusen match Arsenal and Juventus feat
- U17 WWCQ Nigeria 6 Burkina Faso 0: Harmony Chidi's hat-trick inspires Flamingos to victory
- Isaac Success and Nollywood beauty Caroline Igben to wed on June 8, a day after Super Eagles v Bafana Bafana
- Noni Madueke cites Man Utd legend, ex-Chelsea winger, 2 others as players who influenced his game
Football News 24/7
News Categories
- Football Betting
- African Players
- Australia/ Asia
- Belgian Championship
- Bundesliga
- Danish Football
- English Premier League
- Nigeria National Teams
- Nigeria Premier League
- Norwegian Football
- Polish Football
- Russian Championship
- Serie A
- Spanish Liga
- Swedish Championship
- Transfer
- Turkish Championship
- Ukrainian Football
- Uncategorized
- Women's Football