Barcelona forward Martin Braithwaite’s wildest dream has turned into a reality and he relishes the chance to play alongside one of the game’s greats.
Reflecting on his first few months at Camp Nou after having been an unexpected last minute signing after injuries sidelined Luis Suarez and Ousmane Dembeles, the Danish attacker has warmly described Lionel Messi as an “inspiration”.
Although the Dane has yet to score for the club across three appearances, he contributed two assists on his debut. To his advantage, he has not had any problems playing with Messi and quipped that the Argentine has helped him to begin improving his game.
“It changes a lot, of course,” Braithwaite told Goal when asked about his opinion on Messi now he plays alongside him.
“He gives so much confidence to the team because he can make the difference and also helped me personally to be a better player with his advice and how he sees football. He is really an inspiration.”
Braithwaite may now have to struggle for time on the first X1 when the Liga season resumes this week as Suarez is tipped to be fully fit again. However, instead of feeling despondent about the prospect of the Uruguayan star resuming action soon on the pitch and diminishing his own chances of being a regular turn-out with the team, the Danish inernational is optimistic and eager to learn from Suarez.
“Honestly I don’t think in that kind of way. I am so happy that Luis is back because when I came here he was injured and I haven’t played with him,” he said. “I want to learn from him, he is one of the best strikers in the world and I am happy he is back.”
Having played previously for the likes of Leganes, Middlesbrough and Toulouse, Braithwaite has found things quite different on the training ground at Camp Nou.
“The training is totally different to what I was used to so I can feel I am developing a lot in the technical level,” Braithwaite said. “As a human I can feel I have more attention in such a big club like this but you must learn to live with all this attention.”
Only a year ago, the prospect of Braithwaite being a Barcelona player seemed too far-fetched, but the fact it has taken reality convinces the man himself that no dream should be deemed impossible to attain and he is hopeful that his time at the club will show his grandchildren anything is possible.
He said: “I just want to tell them everything is possible in life. If you put your mind in it you can achieve your dreams.”