It seemed like the story of the great ransom of a career player who looks like a roller coaster: from Hertha Berlin to Tottenham, from Milan from the Scudetto with Allegri to Las Palmas, from Sassuolo to Barcelona, in fact.
Kevin-Prince Boateng had surprised everyone with that transfer in the winter transfer from the Bassa Padana to the city of Gaudi, from Mapei Stadium to Camp Nou, from Babacar - with all due respect - to Messi.
The presentation had been by stars of absolute level, Bartomeu had not wanted to miss a handshake, and the debut practically immediate. It seemed that in Catalonia they did not expect him: on Saturday he played with Sassuolo at San Siro and the following Wednesday, when the Neroverdi stopped, he was on the pitch at Pizjuán, dressed in Blaugrana. A dream.
Sixty-three minutes played, just to rest a bit 'Luis Suarez, then off to the Pistolero: Sevilla was leading 1-0 and Valverde said stop to the experiments. But beyond the fact that not even the entry of the Uruguayan had changed the outcome of the match, the Basque technician must not have liked very much the performance of the Ghanaian, who also in the field had fought hard, engaging the opposing defence with games of shore and frequent demarcation.
Since that January 23, in fact, Boateng has disappeared from the revolutions of Barcelona: five benches on as many games of his team. In the three matches of the month of February, Barça scored only three draws, two of which in Liga that made him lose 4 points compared to Real Madrid, but the Boa has never been considered, even in the final minutes, when maybe one with his physique could have been comfortable on set pieces. On the day of the presentation he had declared: "I am happy to be here, even if I am aware of not coming to be the owner."
At almost 32 years, Boateng knows football and has no illusions, but from there to disappear at the bottom of the bench there runs: he himself probably hoped for a middle ground. On his arrival, the Spanish media celebrated it as the new central point of Barcelona, which, after passing Munir, would have allowed a little rest in Suarez. But perhaps it is his flexibility and generosity that have created the misunderstanding: the Boa is an all-round striker, can do the outside, the playmaker and can also play tip, but his goal is not an obsession ( 67 scored in 428 matches). He still trains and wants to be ready: Saturday is Valladolid at the Camp Nou and, with the Champions League at the door, the opportunity is favourable for a match of rotations.