Newcastle United 'target' Gabriel Barbosa has already outlined his plan to return to Europe at some point in his career. As ChroniceLive reported earlier today, the Brazilian is understood to be keen on a move to St. James' Park, but may be made to bide his time.
Barbosa endured a torrid time in European football with Inter Milan and then a loan move to Benfica, scoring just twice in 15 appearances. He would move on loan back to Santos where he rediscovered his goal scoring touch.
The 25-year-old has scored a remarkable 123 goals since joining Flamengo in 2019. The original loan move from Inter Milan saw 'Gabigol' score 43 goals in 59 appearances in all competitions before the move became a permanent one in 2020.
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His remarkable goal scoring record has seen him linked with a number of sides in European football and Barbosa is keen to give it a second crack. “It is every player’s dream to go to Europe,” Barbosa told The Sun in a wide-ranging interview. “They have the best leagues in world football.”
56 goals in 154 appearances for Santos saw 19-year-old Barbosa sign for Inter Milan, but the Serie A side did little to ease the burden on his young shoulders. They unveiled Barbosa in a similar fashion to the signing of Ronaldo Nazario back in 1997.
The Brazilian scored just once in 10 appearances and was shipped out to Benfica - a club synonymous with South American players flourishing - but wasn't given an opportunity and soon found himself back at the Serie A. He thought every move was the wrong one.
“Until today I didn’t really understand why I had so few opportunities. There were so many questions in my head,” he said.
“But I discovered over time that I needed a lot more than talent to play at the club. My bad experiences with Inter Milan and Benfica have made me stronger. It is in these moments that we grow up.”
Barbosa admits he has some regrets about his time in Milan and is still frustrated about how his time in Europe panned out. "I played my role, I dedicated myself to the maximum in training, my Italian course, my adaptation, nutrition,” he said.
“Today, a few years later, I know I could have done some different things. My experience in Europe was a very quick story, I still feel frustrated.”
Barbosa scored just once for Inter during the 2016-17 season, scoring the winner from the bench in February 2017 in a 1-0 victory over Bologna. Frank de Boer was one of his managers during his first season at the San Siro, but the Dutchman also revealed how 'Gabigol' was mocked by the players and staff at the club.
"[Internazionale] bought him for €35 million. I didn't know much about him, but they told me he was a fantastic player," De Boer told Fox Sport NL. "He thought he could do everything while standing still, playing indoor football.
"They called him Gabigol, but we called him 'Gabi-no-gol.' He joined us with two personal social media editors and a bodyguard but didn't do anything.”
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