Was Laughed At, Now Braithwaite Is A Threat To Suarez

Martin Braithwaite (Instagram @braithwaite_no1)

JAKARTA - Martin Braithwaite's move to Camp Nou occurred because of Barcelona's desperation. At that time, Los Blaugarana were suffering from an attacking crisis and the transfer window was closed.

Many parties laughed at the emergency transfer. But in his first few games with Barca, the Danish forward has shown himself to be of use to the club's business.

The former Leganes man scored his first goal at Barcelona on Saturday in a 4-0 win over Real Mallorca at Son Moix. Throughout the night, he was always a threat on the left flank and complemented Lionel Messi and Antoine Griezmann well.

He also won the trust of coach Quique Setien. Playing from the first minute, filling the post for Luis Suarez who was recovering from injury and playing as a substitute.

Danish players are certainly ready to return to action in the following matches. Especially during the three-month hiatus due to the aftermath of COVID-19, he has worked hard to stay fit.

Now, Braithwaite believes he can succeed at the Camp Nou. And anyone will find it difficult to argue with it. The 28-year-old has signed a contract that runs until the summer of 2024. But he is confident he will play for Barcelona for much longer.

"I believe I will stay much longer than four and a half years. That's what is in my head," Braithwaite told ESPN.

"Right now I just want to go out on the pitch and play, enjoy and win titles with this team because that's what I'm here for.

"In Barcelona I saw all the legendary players who played here, and all the periods in which they had some of the best teams, and one of my goals is to be able to say I played in one of the best Barcelona teams of a generation,"

Martin Braithwaite

Barcelona paid the Braithwaite minimum fee waiver clause of 18 million euros for Leganes. Despite getting a lot of money, the Madrid-based club did not have the opportunity to sign a replacement for Braithwaite in the midst of their battle in the relegation zone.

"I can't speak enough about Leganes," said Braithwaite. "(The club) is really special to me and the way they treat me when I have to leave."

"Sometimes when you leave the club you can leave with mixed feelings, but they really understood me. They told me it was a once in a lifetime opportunity and so I had to take it."

"Of course, they feel it's unfair because they can't get a replacement. I understand that. But in the end they were really nice to me."