Flamengo superstar Gabriel Barbosa wants to play in Premier League and dreams of lining up with Liverpool’s Firmino
BRAZILIAN goal machine Gabriel Barbosa wants to prove himself in the Premier League – and dreams of lining up alongside Roberto Firmino.
The pair are set to clash later this month in the Club World Cup after Barbosa’s heroics for Flamengo in the Copa Libertadores final.
Nicknamed Gabigol, the 23-year-old scored 43 goals in 56 games while on loan from Inter Milan, including the double that saw off River Plate.
Inter could cash in to the tune of £20million by making his loan move to Brazil permanent at the end of this month.
But after struggling in Italy, Gabigol has set his sights on the Premier League after being inspired by Liverpool hero Firmino.
Barbosa, who was targeted by the Reds in 2017, said: “Firmino is great, I really admire him. He’s been successful for many years in Europe.
“He is a powerful forward and he has been great for Brazil. He is an inspiration that I look up to.
“It would be a pleasure to play with him. Maybe we could team up for Brazil in the future and Liverpool is a team that everyone wants to play for.
“But it’s hard to talk about this at the moment. My focus is totally on the Club World Cup.
“I like the Premier League very much. It combines technique, strength and speed. I always follow the games from Brazil.
“It really is a place I would like to play. It’s one of the best leagues in the world.
“Every player dreams of being a champion and winning the Premier League must be indescribable.
“But I still have a contract with Inter Milan and Flamengo until the end of 2019.
“We have a very important tournament ahead and my whole focus is on it. I will think about the future after this competition.”
The Premier League really is a place I want to play
Gabigol
Gabigol was one of the hottest properties in world football when Inter signed him from Santos for £26m on his 20th birthday in 2016.
He won Olympic gold alongside Neymar at Rio 2016 and Ronaldo said he was destined to become one of the world’s greatest frontmen.
But his nickname was changed to Gabi-no-goal by then Inter boss Frank De Boer after he struggled to adapt to Serie A - even being crowned the league's worst player.
Gabigol says he is a new, more mature man now who has learned a lot from that dark period.
He said: “These are different times. When I went to Europe I was young and had many things to learn.
“Now I find myself much more experienced and mature, living the best phase of my life. 2019 has been a magical year. I feel like a new player.
“Europe is a natural place for all players who stand out in Brazil but things didn’t go the way I imagined on my first trip.
“Adaptation is never easy, despite being with my family there. It’s a new culture, a new country, a new way of playing.
“All this, whether you like it or not, ends up messing with you.
“But I do not regret going. I never bowed my head in the face of difficulties and always tried to work the best way possible because I trust my potential and know how much I can learn and improve.”
A Club World Cup win over Liverpool would be the icing on the cake this year.
Gabigol’s Flamengo could face Jurgen Klopp’s side – who have announced a full strength squad for the competition amid a fixture clash with the EFL Cup – in the final in Qatar on December 21 providing both make it through their semis.
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And despite the Champions League-winning threat of Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, Gabigol says Flamengo will be up for the fight.
He added: “They are a great trio, very powerful, and they have proven that over the years. They are among the best in the world.
“But playing against them just motivates us. Players love big games and Flamengo have shown we’re in a great moment, with quality players, so we hope to finish the season with a trophy.”