'I went to Spain without telling anyone,' Thomas Partey reveals

Published on: 12 January 2018
'I went to Spain without telling anyone,' Thomas Partey reveals
Thomas Partey

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey has disclosed the sacrifices he had to make before becoming a professional player.

Born in Odumase Krobo, Partey was a product of local Odometah FC's youth ranks before being whisked away by a footbal agent to Spain in 2011 to sign a contract with Atlético Madrid.

The 24-year-old has been an integral member of the Rojibancos since returning from a loan spell at Almeria in 2015.

But he has revealed the ordeal he went through to realize his dream of becoming a professional footballer during an interview with Spanish portal Marca.

"There was someone better than me, a forward who scored all the goals, but he did not want to come to Europe and wanted to play for a team in Ghana," explained Partey.

"So my turn came and when he asked me what I wanted I said to triumph in football so as to help my family. He asked me who was my father and he went to speak to him to ask if he could take me to Spain for a trial, but never said which team."

"I went with the agent who did all my papers but I had nothing to do, I just trained, ate and slept until the day arrived when I had to travel, which I did not know when it would be or what time."

"I got into a car, they took me to the capital, they gave me my passport and said: 'today you travel.' My dad wasn't at home, nobody from my family knew anything, nor that I was going that day because if they were told then it would cause a lot of problems."

"I travelled to Spain and it was six or seven months before anyone realised that I wasn't in Ghana."

Partey went on to say that his parents accepted his decision when they found out.

"My father always was okay with my decisions because as he did not have any help it cost him a lot and he said nothing," he said.

"The following month they sent me money for me to buy boots. My mum was worried because she was thinking about what could happen to me. Sometimes I listened to her and others no. I always do what I think is best and for that reason I decided to travel without saying anything to anyone."

The player found out later that his father had actually sold some of what he owned to enable Partey to succeed.

"My agent told me this but my father never wanted to say anything because he knew that I would not accept it," continued Partey.

"He made a big effort and he sold things in order to get my papers and to buy me boots. He had helped me since I was small as without boots you could not play. He also helped a lot the team from my neighbourhood and I remember we brought food."

His struggle has helped him to deal with the highs and lows on the pitch including Atletico's early elimination from the Champions League this season.

"When you are on the pitch you only think about the team and people watching," he said.

"I worried a lot because it was not good to be knocked out and I always want to compete but when you cannot then there is no point still talking about it."

"We have other things to look forward to this year and next season I am sure we will be in the fight for the Champions League."

Partey made 23 appearances and scored three goals in all competitions for the Madrid-based side in the first half of the campaign.

By: Reuben Obodai (@Reuben Obodai on twitter)

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