Skip to main content

Don't Compare With Neymar, Says Barcelona New Boy Dembele


French wonderkid Ousmane Dembele shrugged off comparisons with Neymar and insisted he still has much to learn, despite becoming the second most expensive player in history as he was presented by Barcelona on Monday.

The 20-year-old's 105 million-euro ($125 million) transfer from Borussia Dortmund could rise to 145 million with add-ons depending on his performance, as Barca splashed out to fill the gap left by Neymar's own world record 222 million-euro move to Paris Saint-Germain.

"I'm not here to replace Neymar," said the Frenchman.

"I will try to make good progress. I am only 20 years old and have a lot to learn. That's why I came to this big club."

Dembele will form a fearsome forward line alongside five-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez as Barca aim to wrestle the Champions League and La Liga titles back from rivals Real Madrid.

And Dembele expects to learn firsthand from Messi, who he described as the best player in history.

"It's an honour to be a part of Lionel Messi's team," added Dembele.

"He's a great player, the best player in the world, the best in the history of football and I am very happy to play in his team.

"I will learn, watch how he plays, and how he is on and off the field."



Dembele's Barca career got off to an inauspicious start as his presentation in front of 18,000 waiting fans at the Camp Nou was delayed for nearly two hours due to a paperwork issue in releasing his registration from Dortmund.

With the supporters' patience tested there were whistles during the delay and chants for Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu to resign.

Barca's board has been under huge pressure due to the club's fading fortunes on the field and being caught cold by Neymar's decision to leave.

The attendance was also well down on the 50,000 fans that welcomed Neymar on his presentation four years ago.

"With a player like Ousmane we have a competitive team that can aim, like every year, for the greatest success," said Bartomeu.

Dembele finally emerged in Barca's famous red and blue strip, sporting the number 11 jersey vacated by Neymar.

However, he will have to wait until at least September 9 to make his debut when Barca host Espanyol in a Catalan derby.

Dembele announced himself as one of Europe's top prospects with a stellar season at Dortmund, scoring 10 goals, after joining from Rennes for just 15 million euros a year ago.

However, he had been suspended by Dortmund since he boycotted training on August 10 in protest after the German club rejected Barca's first bid.

Dembele becomes Barca's fifth signing of the summer after Marlon Santos, Gerard Deulofeu, Nelson Semedo and Paulinho.

And the Catalan giants intend on completing at least one more deal before the transfer window closes on Friday with Liverpool's Philippe Coutinho top of their wish list.

Coutinho, 25, hasn't played for Liverpool since submitting a transfer request to try and force through a move earlier this month.

"My intention is that another player will come, if possible two," said Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#RamadanDailyDigest: What You Should Tell Troublemakers While Fasting

Today's Ramadan Daily Digest comes with another scintillating topic titled what you should tell troublemakers while fasting, as Ramadan fasting enters Day 13. It is important that as a fasting Muslim, first of all, you should not create problems for others or yourself at all times, as you should know what you should tell troublemakers while fasting, in order to have all the rewards of Ramadan and not just putting yourself under hunger and thirst, which means a nullity in fasting. READ THIS TOO:  Fasting For 18 Hours Isn't A Joke What the above paragraph is explaining likewise is that you, as a fasting Muslim should not be a troublemaker by causing problems with your tongue during Ramadan fasting. It is important to add quickly that whether before, during or after Ramadan, you should not cause rancour among people. In some instances, people who dare not talk to you with disgust might want to tease you as they know you are fasting. Therefore, you should know what to tell troublem...
Post a Comment
Read more

#RamadanDailyDigest: Muslim Wives Are Supporters, Not Slaves

Muslims have completed fasting Day 4 today, as they look forward to Day 5 fasting out of the 29 or 30 days fasting; it is important to highlight the roles Muslim wives play in the family. Muslim wives are supporters, and not slaves, and should be treated with utmost dignity. In the religion of Islam, the roles and rights of Muslim wives are copiously written and spoken about. How husbands should relate with their wives are clearly stated. In the Glorious Qur'an, to show the love Allaah has for women, chapter 4 is also called 'Suuratu Nisaa' which translates to chapter of the women in English language. Interesting to know that there is no single chapter out of the total 114 chapters of the Glorious Qur'an named after men, further showing that Muslim wives, daughters, mothers, and all groups of females are held in high esteem by Allaah. It is a sad tale to see what happens in the present day world, whereby some women are maltreated and abused by the society and their part...
Post a Comment
Read more

Little Boko Haram Survivor Walks Again After Delicate Surgery In Dubai (GOOD NEWS)

Barely three months of delicate surgical operation in Dubai, a Boko Haram child victim, Ali Ahmadu, has returned to Nigeria. Ali, who had been on wheelchair in the last four years, can now walk, to the joy and relief of the huge crowd which welcomed him at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Monday, December 4. Full of hearty smiles, Ali  moved about freely, amid hugs and handshakes with the crowd. He arrived the country with  his aunt, Hannatu Madu, Soordinator of Global Initiative for Peace, Love and Care (GIPLC),  Nuhu Kwajafa and representatives of Dickens Sanomi Foundation, which footed his bill. In smattering English laced with Hausa, Ali replied “I am fine,” when asked about his health. He stunned the crowd when he said his main aspiration is to be a policeman, so “to save people from harm.” But, it is not over for Ali. Upon his return,  Taleveras Foundation has announced scholarship for him, from primary school to the unive...
Post a Comment
Read more