Braithwaite: People see me as the emergency signing but I deserve to be at Barca

Martin Braithwaite was Barcelona's emergency signing in February, a quick-fix to replace the injured Ousmane Dembele, but for him the move goes back 10 years to a broken leg and a notebook.

In his first meeting with the club's president Josep Maria Bartomeu and technical secretary Eric Abidal, Braithwaite was told one of the main reasons Barca were buying him was his mentality.

"I felt like they really knew me," Braithwaite says in an interview with AFP.

"They knew how strong I am mentally and they said that was one of the things that made them go for me. They thought I was up for the test."
"And when I was 27 or 28, I wrote I would play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. Now I'm here, where I said I would be 10 years ago."
- 'Embarrased' - ================
"Of course, I came through that and look where I am today but at the same time it makes me humble and grateful for the things I have."
"I'm at Barca, I signed for four years and I see my future here."
- Maybe the rule should be changed' - =====================================
"Yeah, maybe the rule should be changed," Braithwaite said. "I understand because Leganes lost one of their main players, they can't get a replacement and they are in a difficult situation. I completely understand that."
"Honestly inside the club there is a really good atmosphere," Braithwaite says. "We're not focusing on what is happening on the outside, we just want to play."
"It's out of my control," says Braithwaite. "If the people in charge feel there is no risk in going back, I trust them. This is bigger than football right now, it's about people's health. We have to move cautiously."