BARCELONA new-boy Martin Braithwaite has revealed that he held off on telling his family about his shock transfer last month, as he wasn’t sure that it would actually happen.
The Dane emerged as a shock target for Quique Setien’s side after they controversially gained special permission to sign a forward by LaLiga, following the serious injury suffered by Ousmane Dembele.
Braithwaite waited until the move was ‘100 percent’ before telling his family
The 28-year-old former Middlesbrough striker had been battling the drop with Leganes, before suddenly finding himself catapulted into the title race after sealing his £15million move to the Camp Nou.
In a round of interviews with Catalan newspapers, Braithwaite revealed: “I didn’t have a direct call making sure it was done, but a very clear message: ‘Barcelona is really interested in you.’
“I didn’t tell anyone. I was happy, but I didn’t want to show my emotions too much, I wasn’t sure if it was 100 percent.
My family asked me the same thing, ‘Martin, why didn’t you tell us about this?’
Martin Braithwaite
“My wife didn’t find out about me and I didn’t want to tell her if I wasn’t sure 100 percent, but I had to take it and say, ‘Look, I have to talk to you.’
“My family asked me the same thing, ‘Martin, why didn’t you tell us about this?'”
And asked by Mundo Deportivo about the move, and whether things have surprised him, he said: “Everything is happening very fast, but of course it is more than just a dream. I am really happy.
“I don’t know [what the biggest surprise has been], maybe seeing that you are surrounded by big stars, the best in the world, and that they are smiling all day, helping you and making you feel good. It’s something that I really appreciate.”
Setien turned to Braithwaite in the recent ClasicoCredit: AP:Associated Press
And quizzed about what it’s like playing with six-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi, Braithwaite was effusive in his praise: “Amazing. He is a great guy, he is waiting to help the players, he is helping me to join the team and in the field, of course, it is incredible, it is nice to see him.
“Yes, I don’t know, maybe the way to play,” he continued, “to try to find him and to have the idea of how it happens.
“I am sure that as we get to know each other more and play more time together, our connection will improve.
“If it is amazing to see him play in games, enjoy him in training every day, it is even more incredible. I try to learn from him.”
The ex Boro striker has spoken of how ‘incredible’ it is to learn from Messi up closeCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Since signing for Barcelona, Braithwaite has made two substitute appearances.
He enjoyed an emphatic win on his debut, coming on for the final 18 minutes of a 5-0 romp over Eibar.
Setien then turned to him for the final 21 minutes of last weekend’s Clasico, but the 5ft 10in striker was unable to make a difference as his side fell to a 2-0 defeat that saw Real Madrid leapfrog them in the table.
Hilarious moment Martin Braithwaite fluffs his showboating at Barcelona unveiling as nobody turns up
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
