Football
10y

Munir El-Haddadi hails 'dream' debut

Barcelona's new attacking talent Munir El-Haddadi says it was a "dream come to true" to score at the Camp Nou on his full La Liga debut as Elche were beaten 3-0 in Sunday's season opener.

- Tomas: Munir El-Haddadi is not Leo Messi

Munir, 19 next week, got his chance on the left wing because of Luis Suarez's suspension and Neymar's knee injury and looked unfazed throughout, capping an excellent performance with a well-taken goal to put his side 2-0 up just after half-time.

The Madrid-born youngster, who was on Atletico Madrid's books for a time before going to Barca's La Masia academy, told Barca TV after the game that he was proud to have played alongside stars such as Lionel Messi, who scored the other two goals.

"I am so proud to have scored at the Camp Nou with Messi and so many other great players around me," Munir said. "I'm very happy. It was a dream come true to play with them."

Munir's goal came when he raced onto a through ball by Ivan Rakitic before calmly side-footing first time past Elche keeper Przemyslaw Tyton. The strike eased nerves at the Camp Nou after the home side had been reduced to 10 men when Javier Mascherano was sent off just before the break.

"[The goal] came because if you keep losing your marker, sometimes you get there," Munir said. "I saw the goalkeeper was off his line and just chipped the ball."

Munir added that new Blaugrana coach Luis Enrique -- who said after the game that the Spain under-19 international had a lot of potential but had to keep improving -- had been an important influence.

"Luis Enrique has told me to keep doing what I do, and so I'll keep working for more chances," he said. "He tells us to work hard and get better every day. He's a great manager."

Barca full-back Dani Alves told reporters after the game that Munir was showing the right attitude to succeed in the first team.

"We have to look after Munir because he's got a great future ahead of him," he said. "He's humble, but hard work is getting him what he deserves. It's a pleasure to have him in the team."

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