Former Black Stars midfielder Laryea Kingston reveals failed ambition to play for Barcelona
Ghana International Laryea Kingston has revealed the dream to play for Barcelona and in the UEFA Champions League but the never came to past.
The former Black Stars midfielder is one of the players who have enjoyed prime form in mid 2000s where most people linked his display to the likes of AC Milan, Inter Milan, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
However, despite fancying Laliga outfits FC Barcelona, and many people confirming his play suits Barcelona, Laryea never played at the Camp Nou.
“When I was playing in Europe, a lot of people said my style fitted Barcelona,” Laryea, currently a youth coach at Danish side Nordsjaelland told Goal.
“If I look back, I think I granted some interviews and said if I had the chance to play for Barcelona that would be great because I wanted to play in one of the best leagues in the world and against the best players in the world.
“I managed to play against Barcelona in a pre-season game when I was playing with Heart of Midlothian in Scotland and it was a big achievement for me.
“One of my aims was to play in the Uefa Champions League. I managed to play in the Europa League with Lokomotiv Moscow against Sevilla but we all know the Champions League is bigger than the Europa League and every footballer’s ambition is to play at the highest level or compete with the best players in the world or be part of the best players in the world.
“I did my part and I am really happy with whatever achievement I had in my career.”
Interestingly, the former Black Stars winger counted every moment in his career as high moment.
“For me, everything [I achieved] was a high moment because every step up was an achievement. Starting from my youth days at colts level [in Ghana] when I was voted the Player of the Tournament at the Milo Games,” the 39-year-old said.
“I had a call-up to the first national U15 team and when I got there, I was one of the key players. For me, every step in my career was very huge for me.
“Just like I say every game and every goal was very important for me because it may have helped the team to win or put a smile on the faces of the fans. Generally, I would say I fulfilled my dreams as a footballer.
“Every team that I played in, I was always one of the fans’ favourite.”
The former Lokomotiv Moscow man opened up on beginning of his career and how he dedicated time in developing his skills as a young player.
“I was born into a football family, my dad played for Great Olympics, Hearts of Oak and the Ghana national team,” said Laryea.
“My aim was to become a professional footballer and the focus was on how to develop my skills. I put in 110 per cent in everything I did and I really achieved whatever I wanted to achieve in football apart from [mainly] not being able to play at the World Cup.
“My aim was also to play in the Ghana Premier League and from playing colts football, I jumped to the lower divisions and moved straight to the Premier League where I joined Great Olympics and moved to Hearts of Oak.
“My other ambition was to play for the senior national team. Even at the national level, I played for the U15, U17, U20, the Olympic Team and the senior team. I fulfilled my dream in playing in some European countries as well. I’m really happy by whatever I achieved in football.”
“I would describe myself as a contributor, someone that gives everything on the pitch and inspired up-and-coming players,” he remarked.
The midfielder dropped down to sign for African giants Hearts of Oak in 2012 and was shown the red card during traditional game against Kotoko at Baba Yara Stadium in that year.
