Burkina Faso
Croatia
Czech Republic
Hungary
Indonesia
International Tournaments
Nigeria
Republic OF Ireland

Martin Braithwaite opens up on Barcelona frustration

sportsmole.co.uk, 16 June 2022, 14:43
Martin Braithwaite has opened up on his frustration at his lack of football for Barcelona last season.

The 31-year-old started the 2021-22 campaign in impressive fashion, scoring twice and registering one assist in the team's first match of the La Liga season against Real Sociedad.

Braithwaite then went on to feature against Athletic Bilbao and Getafe but was sidelined between September and the middle of January due to a serious knee injury.

The Denmark international was back in the first-team squad against Alaves on January 23, but he only featured on one occasion after his return from injury, playing 10 minutes of the 4-0 win over Osasuna on March 13.

Braithwaite still has more than two years left to run on his contract at Camp Nou, but there has been speculation surrounding his future over the last few months.

The attacker has been heavily involved for his country during the recent break, playing in all four of their UEFA Nations League matches against France, Austria and Croatia.

Braithwaite has thanked Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand for showing faith in him, and the forward has claimed that his performances this month have shown that he is over his injury problems.

"I've played more in these four games than in the whole season there [at Barcelona]," Braithwaite told TV 2 SPORT. "It's been fantastic and I'm very happy with the confidence Kasper has given me.

"I was well aware that I couldn't count on coming in and starting every game, but I knew that in training and in the limited minutes I had, I had to convince Hjulmand that I was fit.

"I feel that I have shown that I am strong, that I am myself and that I have recovered from my injury. I am insanely happy, and insanely grateful for the trust they [Denmark's coaching staff] have given me.

"It's been great to be back after not being here since the European Championship. I'm proud to be back and to be able to help the team again."

According to Marca, Braithwaite has been told that he is not in the plans of Barcelona boss Xavi moving forward and will therefore have to leave this summer in order to play regular football once again.

However, the report claims that interested clubs are only prepared to take him on a free transfer, meaning that the Catalan side will have to accept a loss in order for him to leave.

Braithwaite moved to Camp Nou from Leganes in February 2020, with the Dane allowed to join Barcelona as an emergency signing following the long-term injury to Ousmane Dembele.

The attacker has made 56 appearances for the La Liga giants in all competitions, contributing 10 goals and five assists in the process.

Barcelona are still working to sign Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich, but Ousmane Dembele could depart on a free transfer at the end of this month, while Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong are expected to return to their parent clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sevilla.

Show more

Top News

31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leicester City are reportedly interested in Brighton & Hove Albion defender Tariq Lamptey. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Al-Nassr have reportedly ended their pursuit of Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Kaoru Mitoma. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to keep their faint hopes of winning the top-tier title alive, Marseille will welcome Lyon to Stade Velodrome for a Ligue 1 clash on Sunday afternoon. 31 January 2025 talksport.com Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca gave a blunt response when asked about recalling Kepa Arrizabalaga from his loan spell at Bournemouth. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The standout fixture on matchday 22 in the Eredivisie will come from the Johan Cruijff ArenA where Ajax will be playing host to Feyenoord on Sunday afternoon. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Everton welcome relegation rivals Leicester City to Goodison Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk The two worst performers of the 2024-25 Premier League season so far go in search of a rare victory on Saturday afternoon, as 19th-placed Ipswich Town host basement boys Southampton at Portman Road. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Boasting two of the Premier League's three longest unbeaten runs at this moment in time, Bournemouth and Liverpool meet in a mouthwatering Premier League clash at the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has revealed that Ollie Watkins has reiterated his commitment to the club. 31 January 2025 talksport.com As if facing Real Madrid to save your Champions League campaign isn't enough, Manchester City also face a nightmare Premier League run in what is looking to be a February from hell. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United will be aiming for back-to-back Premier League victories when Crystal Palace visit the Theatre of Dreams on Sunday afternoon. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Crystal Palace are prepared to be without the services of a first-team defender for the remainder of the campaign due to a serious knee injury. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are prepared to deploy youngster Kobbie Mainoo in an advanced role during Sunday afternoon's Premier League battle with Crystal Palace. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea are reportedly yet to give the green light to a loan exit for defender Axel Disasi. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Looking to record their fourth straight win across all competitions, Manchester United will welcome Crystal Palace to Old Trafford in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon. 31 January 2025 talksport.com Brighton have rejected a second offer worth £75million from Al-Nassr for winger Kaoru Mitoma. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Two sides at opposite ends of the Scottish Premiership table are set to meet on Sunday afternoon when title hopefuls Rangers host relegation-threatened Ross County at Ibrox Stadium. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Kike Garcia will be aiming to move into double figures in terms of La Liga goals this season when Alaves head to Barcelona on Sunday. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Robert Lewandowski will be looking to continue his excellent form against Alaves when Barcelona welcome the Basque side in La Liga on Sunday. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Pep Guardiola is confident that James McAtee is "going to stay" at Manchester City and does not expect the club to receive any offers for the midfielder before the transfer window closes on February 3. 31 January 2025 talksport.com Former Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino could be set to leave Al Ahli as the club aim to sign Porto's Galeno. 31 January 2025 talksport.com Chloe Kelly's agent has accused Man City of planting stories about his client in a bombshell interview on talkSPORT. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Barcelona's pursuit of La Liga leaders Real Madrid will continue on Sunday afternoon, when they welcome struggling Alaves to Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys for a must-win contest. 31 January 2025 talksport.com Aston Villa's president of football operations Monchi has conceded that bringing in Unai Emery's top targets is proving to be difficult. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Leeds United are reportedly waiting on developments regarding the future of Sevilla forward Kelechi Iheanacho. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Motherwell, looking to rebound from three consecutive defeats, will host Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic at Fir Park on Sunday afternoon. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Europe hopefuls Toulouse welcome Champions League-chasing Nice in Sunday's gameweek 20 Ligue 1 action at Stadium de Toulouse. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk A month on from their five-goal thriller in Saudi Arabia, Serie A giants AC Milan and Inter Milan will meet for a more conventional Derby della Madonnina on Sunday. 31 January 2025 sportsmole.co.uk Athletic Bilbao will be aiming to stretch their unbeaten run in La Liga to 13 matches when they head to Real Betis on Sunday night. 31 January 2025 talksport.com Manchester United have granted Lecce's request to name Patrick Dorgu in their squad for one last time on Friday night.
Something went wrong! Don't hesitate to let us know if you need any help.