Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is set to make his debut in the epic clash against Real Madrid on Sunday. Photo: Getty Images
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Gabon international striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang becomes the last African player to perform at El Clásico.
The 32-year-old, who arrived in Barcelona on a free transfer in January after four years at Arsenal, is set to make his debut in the epic clash against Real Madrid on Sunday.
Before him, Africa was represented by the Cameroonian legend Samuel Eto’o, who played for the two rivals. But most of them were really for Madrid, including Ghanaian icon Michael Essien, Emmanuel Adebayor from Togo and Mahamadou Diarra from Mali.
READ: Reflecting on El Clásico, Decade by Decade, Before Saturday’s Epic Real Madrid, Barca Clash
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi was until recently the only African player on Real Books, but he has since joined Paris Saint-Germain in France following a loan spell at Borrusia Dortmund in Germany.
In Barça, Aubameyang and the fun of Yaya Toure (Côte d’Ivoire), Seydou Keita (Mali) and Alex Song (Cameroon) followed the other Africans who wore the colors of the Catalan giants in recent memory.
Meanwhile, the Gabonese star walks into the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on the back of the sizzling form he has seen seven goals in 10 appearances in all competitions.
This week, the striker told LaLiga TV:
El Clásico is surely the biggest match in the world because everyone is talking about that game. It means a lot to everyone in the club. And of course, I know what Derbies are like. I’ve played a few in the past. Well, there is tension in this feeling of something different, something special. That’s why some guys get nervous and stuff like that. But this is El Clásico and I expect it to be difficult.
While Karim Benzema remains in doubt for the Sunday clash due to injury, Aubameyang still rates the Real side high.
“To tell the truth, they have good players and yes, they are at the top. But the truth is, I want to see us … we’re in good shape now,” he said.
Since Aubameyang’s first league appearance against Atlético Madrid last month, Barça have enjoyed an unbeaten league streak. The Blaugrana, as the team knows their legion of fans, recorded five wins and carried their form this month, as they also qualified for the Europa League quarter-finals, thanks to Aubameyang.
The game at the iconic Bernabéu pits the two rivals, separated by 15 points. Real lead the pack in the 20-team LaLiga table with 66 points with Sevilla behind in second place at 56.
Barcelona, with one game in hand, is third with 51, along with Atlético Madrid.
Barcelona, which experienced a disastrous start to the campaign under Ronald Koeman, have enjoyed a recovery since Xavi Hernández took over from Dutch legend in November last year, while Los Blancos led the team under Carlo To beat Ancelotti, who last returned to Real in June. Year.
. Mothowagae is powered by LaLiga in Madrid
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Daniel Mothowagae |
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