By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 8, 2023

The major problem affecting the Spanish top flight league, the LALIGA, recently has been the issue of racism with players subjected to various abuse. Last season, Real Madrid star, Junior Vinícius, was the subject of abuse with the league body taking several fans to court in Spain.

However, Super Eagles forward, Samuel Chukwueze, said racist abuse no longer has any effect on him as he cannot do anything about it but to live with it. The Villarreal of Spain winger was named the best African player in the Spanish top flight league, the LALIGA last season after a scintillating performance for his club, scoring some mouth-watering goals during the season with the most important being the two goals against Real Madrid.

Speaking with our correspondent, the player, currently sought after by Italian giant, AC Milan, said no matter what he is called, he doesn’t care According to him, he was uncomfortable in his first game for Villarreal, but since then, he has decided to ignore it. “It happened in my first game with the team (racist abuse),” he said.

“When they called me to come and play I was a little bit shaky, I was scared at my debut. After that, there was nothing to be scared of. “No matter what they call me it doesn’t matter, it’s not supposed to be like that because everyone is equal and all our blood is red but I don’t understand the racism. “It’s like when you are playing and someone calls you a monkey or something, it doesn’t matter.

They do not understand what it means to have this color, this color is golden and the best color in the whole world. “It means the world to me and I don’t mind if someone is saying trash about me or my football, I just focus. “If you call me a monkey, I just do my best and leave the rest for God.” Despite not giving a damn about racist abuse, one thing that haunts the former junior international is failure.

Every individual has what always makes them sad or happy and as a player, while some detest losing, some don’t care at all as long as they are getting their pay each month However, in the case of Chukwueze, one thing that always gives him sleepless nights is losing a game.

Speaking about the Super Eagles losing out of the last FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he said it was a difficult moment for him personally. According to him, seeing other African teams playing at the Mundial without Nigeria, was a difficult moment. He added: “I don’t like losing. If I lose I can’t sleep well and so I try my best. Sometimes we qualify and sometimes we don’t.”

While describing his two goals against Real Madrid, the forward said the motivation to win actually pumped his adrenaline in the game. His second goal in the 3-2 defeat of the record Champions League winner was adjudged the LALIGA goal of the week for that weekend. With the score tied at 2-2 and just 10 minutes left, Chukwueze received a pass, pushed the ball forward then curled the ball into the top corner to seal a 3-2 win for Villarreal.

He had earlier equalised for Villarreal after an own goal by Pau Torres had put Madrid 1-0 up. Describing the moment, he said looking at his teammates not being afraid of the stars at Real Madrid, he felt must also deliver. “When you are playing in a big stadium, you will know what you are planning for and that you need to win; the motivation, the coach, the players.

“When you see your teammates and they are not scared, that will help you give them what they want. “The atmosphere, the fans screaming show that you can go and win at that stadium, you can go there and do what you know how to do best,” he said. On winning the African Player of the Season in LALIGA, Chukwueze dedicated the award to his teammates and said it’s a testament to the performance of African players in the league.

In his words: “I feel so happy, it’s a great achievement for me and the African people. “Being in LALIGA is proof that I have been working hard and I need to keep going. “I’ve worked very hard this last season, but I want to thank my teammates for making it possible. “Without them this wouldn’t have been possible for me, and the coach [Quique Setién] too. “When the coach believes in you, and gives you the confidence to play and enjoy yourself, it really motivates you.”

Source New Telegraph

Posted July 8, 2023

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