Real Madrid is a club that is supported by millions all over the world, and even some Barcelona players may have a secret admiration for Los Blancos.
Former Barcelona midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng has now admitted that he is one of them, having grown up supporting Real Madrid before joining the rivals.
The Ghanian international spent half a season at Camp Nou in 2019, on loan from Sassuolo, having also played for the likes of AC Milan and Tottenham Hotspur in his career.
Boateng was a Real Madrid fan
The former journeyman has now claimed that Barcelona knew he was a fan of Real Madrid when they signed him, and told him to keep that fact quiet.
Speaking on the FIVE podcast, Boateng explained that despite growing up in Berlin, he was a childhood fan of the club, and had previously admitted his support for Real Madrid whilst at Las Palmas. When he eventually joined Barcelona, he then had to pretend otherwise.
“I supported Hertha Berlin where I was born, and sorry Barcelona fans will hate me now, but then, Real Madrid,” he stated.
“I couldn’t say that in the press conference. They told me ‘never say that, because otherwise we can’t play you.’
“Two years before, I had an interview in Las Palmas and they asked me who I thought was the best player in the world. I said in this world (Cristiano) Ronaldo, and in the galaxy (Lionel) Messi, and then they asked me for my favourite club, and I said Real Madrid so they grabbed that.
“(At Barcelona) the first question, they brought it up and then I said ‘my favourite club is Barcelona!’”
Boateng’s secret admiration
Despite making just three appearances for Barcelona, Boateng was still unable to express his support for Real Madrid whilst at the club, for obvious reasons.
Now he has retired, four years after leaving Barcelona, Boateng has now happily admitted his admiration for Real Madrid, and it is perhaps a regret in his career that he never played for the club.
The Ghanian did however, appear against Real Madrid five times in his career: twice with AC Milan, twice with Schalke, and once with Las Palmas in La Liga.
His appearance with Las Palmas saw him score and provide an assist in a 3-3 draw in 2016-17, but he may have been relieved as this did not stop Real Madrid from winning La Liga and the Champions League in that season.