HomeFootball NewsDortmund v PSG: Mbappe has a 'right laugh', says Ronaldo admirer Barcola...

Dortmund v PSG: Mbappe has a ‘right laugh’, says Ronaldo admirer Barcola before Champions League semi-final

-

Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola says he has had a “right laugh” with strikers Kylian Mbappe and Ousmane Dembele during a first season at the club which has taken the 21-year-old to the Uefa Champions League semi-finals.

France youth international Barcola joined the reigning Ligue 1 champions from Lyon for around £38.4 million in August and scored his first Champions League goal in their win over Real Sociedad in the round of 16.

“You can only get better when you train with [players like them],” Barcola told UEFA.com of Mbappe and Dembele.

“Off the field, we have a right laugh together. They are older but, at the same time, they are quite like us [younger players] too; they’re young at heart.

“Ousmane is a massive tease. You can do the smallest of things wrong and he will make fun of it. Even when you score, he will tease you about it – but that’s fine.”

Read our other football news stories here: 
Kane tells Bayern to be clinical
Webb admits Nottingham Forest denied at least one penalty against Everton

Enrique plays down favourites tag ahead of Champions League showdown

Dembele and Mbappe each scored twice across PSG’s quarter-final tie as Luis Enrique’s side came from behind to beat Barcelona 6-4 on aggregate courtesy of a 4-1 away win in the second leg.

In Mbappe’s final season at the club, they visit Dortmund in the first leg of the final four on Wednesday before the return leg on Tuesday.

Bradley Barcola stats

Barcola has become increasingly impactful during recent weeks, setting up Dembele’s crucial equaliser on the night in Barcelona in the first of four PSG goals without reply to turn the tie around after their opponents had Ronald Araujo dismissed.

He has been directly involved in three goals in his last three Ligue 1 appearances, scoring in the league for the first time since January in PSG’s 3-3 draw at home to Le Havre on Saturday.

All-time Champions League top-scorer Cristiano Ronaldo is his favourite player. “It’s mostly his mentality of never giving up and working hard,” said Barcola.

“That’s what has left the greatest mark on me and driven me to be where I am today.

“I’ve always worked hard and had the right mentality, so that’s really what I’ve taken from him.”

Ben Miller
Ben Miller
Ben has more than 10 years' experience in sports journalism, covering two EURO tournaments, European club competitions, the Premier League, EFL and WSL and a variety of other major sporting events.

LATEST POSTS

Ramsdale delighted to have secured Southampton switch

Aaron Ramsdale could not hide his delight after securing a deadline-day move to Southampton. Goalkeeper Ramsdale has signed a four-year contract at St Mary’s after Saints...

Ancelotti hungry for UCL success with Real Madrid to go with LaLiga triumph

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti is eyeing the Champions League trophy to go alongside the club's LaLiga success. Los Blancos confirmed their record-breaking 36th title at...

De Zerbi hails Aston Villa as ‘one of the best teams in the Premier League’

Roberto De Zerbi says his Brighton side beat "one of the best teams in the Premier League" on Sunday. The Seagulls took all three points thanks...

Madueke backing Chelsea for Europe after West Ham thumping

Noni Madueke is backing Chelsea to finish as high as possible after the Blues thrashed West Ham 5-0 in the Premier League. First-half goals from Cole...

Most Popular