View attachment 276607
Josep van Branco / I've Made It / 2019
View attachment 276608
Well, that was the best year of my life.
After being anxious about going to Shakhtar, they were actually really good to me. I become a key player straight away, we won the league, and played in the Champions League Group against Aresnal, Leverkusen and Slaven Bratislava. We were knocked out in the groups which was disappointing, but I put in some good performances, especially at home to Arsenal in a 2-2 draw.
In September 2018, I was called up to the Holland squad, and started in a friendly against Slovakia. I was over the moon, it was a dream to play with players like Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay. I have since made 4 appearances for the national team, including a 5-0 over Moldova where I was named MOTM. I aim to cement a place in the side before the Euro's start in 2020.
I also played in the U21 Euro Championship. Holland were knocked out in the groups which was disappointing, but I was named player of the tournament! Players like Luis Figo and Juan Mata have won the award before, it was an honour to be among those names.
I was in holiday in Valencia with my girlfriend, when my agent called. There had been interest from Barcelona, Atletico and Liverpool in my services, and he told me that Barcelona had made a bid, and it had been accepted! To be linked with Barca and Liverpool is an absolute dream, they are my two favourite clubs since I was a little child. I flew up the Spanish coast that day, and put a pen to paper! It was done, I was a Barcelona player! I couldn't believe it, it all happened to fast to sink in. The La Liga champions was my new home, and a chance to play with Messi..
On the first day of training, I walked into the changing rooms nervously, and he was sat there. Lionel Messi was right in front of me, talking to a young Italian named Simono Minochi. Messi introduced me to the club, he told me he had seen me play and I have a lot of potential. I hardly replied I was so nervous! But what an honour it was for him to say he believed in my ability. I then spoke to Minochi. He has been at Barca since 2016, he was signed from Pescara as the heir to Messi's throne. He showed me round the facilities quickly, before introducing me to the rest of the squad. He seemed like a good guy, off the pitch. We started pinging some balls to each other and it was quickly clear to me why Barca had signed him. He hadn't been in the 1st team much, but I was sure this was his breakout year, and I hoped I would be on the pitch with him.
View attachment 276606
What a year. And what a year I have ahead. I get paid 80k per week by Barcelona, to do what I love. Let's win some trophies!
Josep van Branco / I've Made It / 2019
View attachment 276608
Well, that was the best year of my life.
After being anxious about going to Shakhtar, they were actually really good to me. I become a key player straight away, we won the league, and played in the Champions League Group against Aresnal, Leverkusen and Slaven Bratislava. We were knocked out in the groups which was disappointing, but I put in some good performances, especially at home to Arsenal in a 2-2 draw.
In September 2018, I was called up to the Holland squad, and started in a friendly against Slovakia. I was over the moon, it was a dream to play with players like Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay. I have since made 4 appearances for the national team, including a 5-0 over Moldova where I was named MOTM. I aim to cement a place in the side before the Euro's start in 2020.
I also played in the U21 Euro Championship. Holland were knocked out in the groups which was disappointing, but I was named player of the tournament! Players like Luis Figo and Juan Mata have won the award before, it was an honour to be among those names.
I was in holiday in Valencia with my girlfriend, when my agent called. There had been interest from Barcelona, Atletico and Liverpool in my services, and he told me that Barcelona had made a bid, and it had been accepted! To be linked with Barca and Liverpool is an absolute dream, they are my two favourite clubs since I was a little child. I flew up the Spanish coast that day, and put a pen to paper! It was done, I was a Barcelona player! I couldn't believe it, it all happened to fast to sink in. The La Liga champions was my new home, and a chance to play with Messi..
On the first day of training, I walked into the changing rooms nervously, and he was sat there. Lionel Messi was right in front of me, talking to a young Italian named Simono Minochi. Messi introduced me to the club, he told me he had seen me play and I have a lot of potential. I hardly replied I was so nervous! But what an honour it was for him to say he believed in my ability. I then spoke to Minochi. He has been at Barca since 2016, he was signed from Pescara as the heir to Messi's throne. He showed me round the facilities quickly, before introducing me to the rest of the squad. He seemed like a good guy, off the pitch. We started pinging some balls to each other and it was quickly clear to me why Barca had signed him. He hadn't been in the 1st team much, but I was sure this was his breakout year, and I hoped I would be on the pitch with him.
View attachment 276606
What a year. And what a year I have ahead. I get paid 80k per week by Barcelona, to do what I love. Let's win some trophies!
