At a glance
- The Seagulls currently in seventh and a possible European spot
- Minteh played four games in Champions League
- Messi goal against Man United the inspiration
Albion’s Gambian Winger Yankuba Minteh has said he was inspired to play football, after watching Manchester United v Barcelona in the Champions League final in 2009. Lionel Messi scored a header in that game, and it was that goal that Minteh said inspired him.
Minteh, who scored the third goal at the weekend against Wolves, said the inspiration was “Barcelona versus United. When Messi scored a header. It’s because of him that I started watching football. He’s my idol so it’s a good thing.”
Minteh’s History in Champions League
Minteh has made four appearances in the Champions League while he was on loan to Feyenoord from Newcastle United, scoring once. He played in both home and away games versus Celtic and Atletico Madrid. His only goal came at Parkhead, and wants to sample it again at the Albion.
He said “It would be amazing because I played in it once and then I would like to play again in it because it’s a competition which is really important and nice. Everybody watches it, so it would be nice. I remember a lot because it was my first time ever playing in it, so I was so emotional and really grateful to be playing in a Champions League.”
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Europe Beckoning the Seagulls?
The Seagulls have played in Europe recently, getting to the round of 16, before getting beat by Italian side Roma 4-1 in the Europa League, so a Champions League appearance would be history-making.
The Albion currently sit in seventh spot, on 53 points. They are currently two points behind Bournemouth, with two games to go. Brentford are in eighth, and two points behind Brighton.
| Bournemouth | Brighton | Brentford |
| Man City (H) | Leeds Utd (A) | Crystal Palace (H) |
| Nottingham Forest (A) | Man Utd (H) | Liverpool (A) |
It will certainly be an exciting end to the season for that last European spot, which could be in the Champions League if things work out that way.
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