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Martin Braithwaite opens up on Barcelona frustration

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 16 June 2022

Denmark forward Martin Braithwaite opens up on his frustration at his lack of football for Barcelona in the second half of last season.

Martin Braithwaite has opened up on his frustration at his lack of football for Barcelona last season.

The 31-year-old started the 2021-22 campaign in impressive fashion, scoring twice and registering one assist in the team's first match of the La Liga season against Real Sociedad.

Braithwaite then went on to feature against Athletic Bilbao and Getafe but was sidelined between September and the middle of January due to a serious knee injury.

The Denmark international was back in the first-team squad against Alaves on January 23, but he only featured on one occasion after his return from injury, playing 10 minutes of the 4-0 win over Osasuna on March 13.

Braithwaite still has more than two years left to run on his contract at Camp Nou, but there has been speculation surrounding his future over the last few months.

Barcelona's Martin Braithwaite celebrates scoring their third goal against Real Sociedad in La Liga on August 15, 2021 © Reuters

The attacker has been heavily involved for his country during the recent break, playing in all four of their UEFA Nations League matches against France, Austria and Croatia.

Braithwaite has thanked Denmark boss Kasper Hjulmand for showing faith in him, and the forward has claimed that his performances this month have shown that he is over his injury problems.

"I've played more in these four games than in the whole season there [at Barcelona]," Braithwaite told TV 2 SPORT. "It's been fantastic and I'm very happy with the confidence Kasper has given me.

"I was well aware that I couldn't count on coming in and starting every game, but I knew that in training and in the limited minutes I had, I had to convince Hjulmand that I was fit.

"I feel that I have shown that I am strong, that I am myself and that I have recovered from my injury. I am insanely happy, and insanely grateful for the trust they [Denmark's coaching staff] have given me.

"It's been great to be back after not being here since the European Championship. I'm proud to be back and to be able to help the team again."

Barcelona's Martin Braithwaite celebrates scoring against Juventus on August 8, 2021 © Reuters

According to Marca, Braithwaite has been told that he is not in the plans of Barcelona boss Xavi moving forward and will therefore have to leave this summer in order to play regular football once again.

However, the report claims that interested clubs are only prepared to take him on a free transfer, meaning that the Catalan side will have to accept a loss in order for him to leave.

Braithwaite moved to Camp Nou from Leganes in February 2020, with the Dane allowed to join Barcelona as an emergency signing following the long-term injury to Ousmane Dembele.

The attacker has made 56 appearances for the La Liga giants in all competitions, contributing 10 goals and five assists in the process.

Barcelona are still working to sign Robert Lewandowski from Bayern Munich, but Dembele could depart on a free transfer at the end of this month, while Adama Traore and Luuk de Jong are expected to return to their parent clubs Wolverhampton Wanderers and Sevilla.