Real Madrid had not lost a Champions League match since May 2023, until they met LOSC Lille last October in a match in which Jonathan David scored the goal that toppled the Spanish giants on the second matchday of the top European competition. It was a special goal not only because of what it meant for his team, but also because the player is a well-known Barcelona fan.
Jonathan David’s goal against Atletico Madrid
He said in an interview with The New York Times that playing for the blaugrana has always been his great objective: “It was always the team I grew up with and when you grow up supporting a team, your dream is to play for them,” he said. The Canadian, with 13 goals in 19 games, is one of the strikers of the moment and has attracted the interest of big clubs such as Bayern Munich and Manchester United.
However, despite these numbers, he does not believe that this is his best season: “For me, it was my second year in Belgium. That was the season of my life,” he said. However, he cannot deny the great visibility given to him by the goals in the Champions League against Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Juventus. “I could have scored a hat-trick at the weekend against Le Havre, but I scored a goal against Real Madrid and in two or three weeks, that will be the goal that people will talk about,” said the striker.
A star in the shadows
Although he has been playing at a high level in France for several years now, David’s name is not one that is being touted as one of the best in his position. He is a player of great talent who does not have as much posterity as others, but at 24 years of age, he has already been performing at a very high level for some time. He, for his part, remains humble. “Some will say: ‘Oh, he’s staying at Lille, this is a downgrade, he’s not getting better’, but for me, there are always opportunities to get better,” the Canadian explains.
He is the best footballer I have ever coached
David himself sees many areas for improvement, even though he has already evolved since his arrival in Europe: “I can head and score,” he said. “I can get into good positions and win headers, but I’m still lacking the final touch. I can also improve with my back to goal.”
His coach in the national team speaks wonders of Jonathan: “He is the most intelligent footballer I have coached”. In addition, he already places him on a very high level in the football scene: “We believe he can be one of the best in the world, if he is not already in that category”.
Jonathan David: “Barcelona is the team I have supported since childhood. When you grow up and support a team, its a dream to play there.” pic.twitter.com/fKZXyIQZZD
? Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) November 18, 2024
As for his fit in the Barcelona scheme, he does not think there will be any problems: “I can adapt to many systems, I have played with two strikers or as a single striker, but I would prefer to have that freedom to move around,” he said. “I can adapt to many systems, I have played with two strikers or as a single striker, but I would prefer to have that freedom to move around,” said the Lille player. “In that sense, I can take the attention away from me and find the space to make a difference.”
A name to keep in mind at the Camp Nou, as he is out of contract at the end of the season and is already making eyes at the Catalan club. Because dreams are dreams, but every now and then they can come true and that hope is what Jonathan David clings to.
