Former Nigerian international Haruna Babangida has disclosed that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is well-acquainted with him from their early days at Barcelona’s La Masia academy, prior to Arteta’s transfer to Rangers.
Babangida held the record for many years as the youngest player to play for Barcelona B in the Segunda División, making his competitive debut at the age of just 16 years, 1 month, and 21 days.
He spent three seasons with the reserve team, occasionally participating in friendly matches with the first team and engaging in pre-season training camps abroad.
Babangida was part of La Masia’s illustrious generation, training alongside notable players such as Arteta, Xavi Hernández, Carles Puyol, Andrés Iniesta, Víctor Valdés, Pepe Reina, and Gabri.
Reflecting on his tenure at the club, Babangida, who represented Nigeria at the 1999 FIFA U20 World Cup, recounted that his path to Barcelona commenced with a straightforward trial that swiftly led to his signing.
In an interview with Gazzetta Greece, Haruna stated: “My transfer to Barcelona occurred in 1997 when I was a teenager. The narrative is simple; I went there for a trial.
“They called me, they observed my performance, and they opted to sign me. That is how it all transpired. They appreciated my skills from the outset.”
He further remarked: “There were numerous prominent figures at La Masia. We were all young, talented players residing there, pursuing our aspirations of achieving success in football.
“Many of them succeeded in making a name for themselves in football, while others, despite their talent, did not reach the same heights.”
In an interview conducted six years ago, Arteta lauded Babangida, asserting that the Nigerian was the finest 15-year-old he had encountered at that time.
“Indeed, Arteta is very familiar with me. We began our journey together from the small team and progressed to the second team of Barcelona before he departed, thus we shared a strong bond.”
After leaving Barcelona in 2004, Babangida enjoyed stints with Olympiacos, Apollon Limassol, Kuban Krasnodar, Mainz, Vitesse Arnhem, Kapfenberger SV, and Mosta.
‘Arteta knows me very well’ – Babangida explains how he joined Barcelona
