"I know that I will not necessarily be a regular player," said Kevin-Prince Boateng when he was presented by FC Barcelona as access for the second half. Nevertheless, the 31-year-old did not hesitate when the surprise offer came: "I had to use this opportunity at FC Barcelona, I would not have needed a plane, I would have gone to Barcelona too."
Similarly small as the player himself, Spanish media also consider Boateng's chances of establishing himself in the Catalans' first eleven. "Many will have thought this is 'fake news' reading this news, and there are many reasons to believe it," wrote the Marca paper, calling the transfer a "surreal change." He will only be offered chances if Luis Suárez gets injured and fails.
Whether the sports paper is right, will show the next season: For obligations of the club in league, two national cup competitions and the Champions League should be realistic for Boateng even without failure of the superstar.
K @KPBofficial is unequivocal: "The best player is #Messi - in the entire world." It's the truth. He's the best player in the world. "
#EnjoyPrince pic.twitter.com/sqwObLxCY6
Barcelona leases Boateng until the end of the season from the Italian first division US Sassuolo and has a purchase option over eight million euros. The German Ghanaian knows the Primera División from his time at UD Las Palmas, where he played in the 2016/2017 season. Since this commitment Boateng should also speak good Spanish.
"A big dream"
The linguistic eligibility does not seem to outweigh the doubts associated with the Boateng transfer for Spanish media. "Why," a commentator from the newspaper "Sport" asked, lending themselves to a club that was already under contract with eleven employers, who has an "eccentric character and is now known more for his extra-sport life than for his football ? "
DPA
Kevin-Prince Boateng (m.) In Barcelona
Indeed, the player himself very openly commented on unprofessional behavior in his past and told the British "Guardian" 2017 in terms of his early years as a player: "I was celebrating each night until six o'clock." I weighed about 95 kilos, was fat from the Drink and bad food, now I know how bad that was. "
In the Bundesliga Boateng had last played for Eintracht Frankfurt and celebrated with the club both the DFB Cup victory and the entry into the Europa League. For the current season, he moved to Sassuolo, reportedly to be closer to his Italian wife and son. All the more surprised his move to Spain. Boateng said of the decision, "I think for every kid who starts playing football it's a big dream to play for a club like Barcelona."