Adama Traoré have a sweet moment. Already installed in the Spanish National Team and, according to the English media, in talks to renew his contract with him Wolverhampton. Of its growth in The farmhouse dreaming about Ronaldinho to be tempted by the NFL, the winger has reviewed his career and current affairs in an extensive interview at the Daily Mail, where he has told, among other things, how together with his coaching staff they came up with the idea of smearing their arms with oil to avoid being grabbed.
Ronaldinho, Adama's passion: “For me, Ronaldinho's arrival in Barcelona was incredible, something magical. Then Andrés Iniesta and shortly after, more players like them came. But the one who started it all was Ronaldinho. At my age, Ronaldinho was the best.”
Staying up late to see Barcelona and Ronaldinho: “I will always remember his first goal against Sevilla. He controlled the ball in the midline and passed two players. My home was not far from the Camp Nou, so I heard the screaming and noise in my bed. The game was at midnight and they were giving people free food to see. The stadium was full. And I saw it the next day. Before Ronaldinho, Barcelona couldn't challenge Real Madrid, because they had the Galacticos and they won it all. Then it changed. The boys of the quarry used to have free passes to watch the games and we saw them training with La Masia. Ronaldinho was amazing and magical. “
Street football: “When I was little, my brother, my friends and I used to play a tournament against everyone, five against five. People knew us, because I played for Barcelona and my brother played for Espanyol. We won most of our games and they said : “There are two brothers, one playing for Barcelona and the other for Espanyol. They have a team of friends and they are very good,” so people came from all over the city and they used to challenge us. I was 14 or 15 at the time and I used to play 17 and 18. We played everyone where we grew up and it was a lot of fun. “
The dangers of adolescence: “There were some gangs, but every time we played against them, we focused on football. That was good too. You could play against a gang member and whatever was going on in his personal life, he would forget it. All that mattered was. football. Mindset is very important. Your parents can educate you, and that's important, but it's also about what you want out of life. If you are clear about things and want your dream and you think you can achieve it, it means everything. My My dream was to be a footballer and I worked for it and this was what mattered, so I didn't care what was happening everywhere. “
The temptation of the NFL: “The NFL scouts tried, but I wanted to be a footballer. My dream was always to play soccer.”
Sunday roasts and religion: “I love those roasts and if you remove the pork, well I have it all. The roast potatoes, the Yorkshire puddings and the gravy I can't eat, but I like Sunday dinners with a little gravy. Now I know the customs of England and I like them. The cup of tea, Sunday dinner, it's good. I like to know different cultures, know how they think and adapt.
His play style and speed: “I don't think speed has to do with skin color, although, for me, it doesn't matter because I know what I have, I know how I play, I know what I give and if people think that my ability is only speed, okay, no problem, the problem is yours and they will have a surprise. “
Oil on the arms to avoid seizures: “The coaching staff had a very clever idea because they knew I was having problems with my shoulder. The opponents would grab my arm so that I wouldn't move, they would pull on my shoulder. If you put the oil on, it's impossible for them to catch me, especially if I I move too. At first it was a lot of fun because a lot of players grabbed my arm and couldn't catch me. They wondered 'what's wrong?' and I kept saying I didn't know anything. Everybody knows now, but it doesn't matter. It's important to me because the players have to use another tactic. Now that I have the oil on my arm, I can get away! “