?Barcelona striker Martin Braithwaite says he isn’t going to wash his clothes after getting a hug from club captain Lionel Messi on his debut.
The Denmark international came off the bench as Barcelona picked up a 5-0 win over Eibar, where Messi scored the opening four goals and Arthur rounding off their win with a strike in the last minute of the match.
Braithwaite was heavily involved in Barcelona’s last two goals and he joked after the game that he isn’t going to put his kit in the wash after getting a hug from Messi.
“I won’t wash my clothes after I hugged Messi,” Braithwaite said, quoted by Sport. “I’m very happy to have given my first assist to Leo.”
Braithwaite could have got on the scoresheet himself in the last minute of the match, but Eibar goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovi? was able to get down to make a save – not that it mattered, as Arthur followed up to score from the rebound.
“I feel bad for not having scored but Dmitrovi? did very well,” Braithwaite added. “It was an extraordinary debut, a dream come true. When the coach called me to warm up I was a bit nervous but looking forward to getting on. Thanks to the fans for this reception.”
Coupled with Real Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Levante on Saturday, Barcelona’s win has seen them move one point clear at the top of ?La Liga.
Both clubs have ?Champions League duties to attend to in midweek, but Barcelona and Real Madrid will already have one eye on next week’s Clásico.
Barcelona were held to a goalless draw when they hosted the Clásico earlier this season.
While Quique Setién’s side are on red hot form, Real Madrid haven’t won either of their last two games and will also be without Eden Hazard next week after he ?suffered a hairline fracture in his leg against Levante.
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