‘A real dream for me’… Dutch icon confesses he dreamt of playing for Barcelona | OneFootball

Few clubs in history share the kind of prestige and legendary status that FC Barcelona has. Beyond just the club’s collective success and legacy, many icons of the game have played for the Catalan giants. Across the decades, Barceona has truly become a home for real icons of football.

Even today, legendary players like Robert Lewandowski continue to play for La Blaugrana. This kind of ability to attract legends is something that Barcelona is very fortunate to have, and it has led many elite players to the club over the years, especially forwards.

Despite their financial troubles, the club continues to be an attractive option for all kinds of players. Considering the decision of Marcus Rashford to join the club this summer, it remains clear to see that the Catalan side is an attractive destination for most footballers.

Van Persie confesses his dream of playing for Barcelona

Robin van Persie in action for Arsenal against Barcelona. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)

Interestingly, a true icon of Dutch football recently made a confession that only adds further weight to that truth. As quoted by SPORT, current Feyenoord coach and former Dutch superstar Robin van Persie recently confessed that he always dreamt of playing for Barcelona one day:

“I always had the desire to play for Barça one day. I truly hoped it might somehow come true. It was a real dream for me.”

However, despite being close to joining the club in 2015, the deal ultimately fell apart and his dream of joining La Blaugrana ended up remaining just that and nothing more:

“After half a year at Fenerbahçe, there was talk of it at the time, and I had high hopes. It would’ve been incredible. My agent told me there were conversations, that the option was real—but then he called and said, ‘It’s not going to happen.’”

Things might have turned out differently

Even his agent chimed in and provided some insight, suggesting that a different outcome might have been considered if Van Persie was still signed to the likes of Manchester United at the time. In fact, Van Persie’s rise to the top had a lot to do with his time at Arsenal and Manchester United, as well as his feats for the Dutch National team:

“If he had stayed a little longer at United instead of going to Fenerbahçe, he would’ve been a serious option because he’d be arriving straight from United. But coming from Fenerbahçe, it’s a different story—Barcelona had doubts about his physical fitness.”

However, that whole ordeal is now in the past and neither Van Persie nor Barcelona can do anything to change it. For now, the club can continue to focus on its present and try its best to keep the future of their aspiring young stars secure as well through contract renewals if necessary.