Born in Greenwich now plays for Barcelona

ross1

Greenwich-born Marcus McGuane has become the first Englishman to play for Barcelona since Gary Lineker in 1989.

McGuane, a former pupil at St Paul’s Academy in Abbey Wood, came on as a second-half substitute in Barcelona's penalty shoot-out win over Espanyol in the Catalan Super Cup last night.

The 19-year-old midfielder signed for the Spanish giants in January after a 12-year spell in Arsenal’s academy.

Speaking after his first-team debut, England Under-19 international McGuane said: “It was a massive experience and a massive achievement for me and my family.

“Words can’t really describe how it felt walking out there – it felt really good and I felt really proud.

“When the coach told me I was coming on, I thought ‘just be calm, play my game and show what I can do’.

“A lot of people told me when I signed that Gary Lineker was the last Englishman to play for Barcelona. I got a lot of messages yesterday when people found out I was in the squad.

“So to know I’m the next player to play for Barcelona after Gary Lineker, that’s some achievement.

“Hopefully I can carry on pushing with the B team, get as many games as possible and if I get any opportunities to go with the first-team, I’ll just show the boss what I can do, and if there are any pre-season opportunities, just to take them.”

LenGlover

Another player we missed....

ForeverAddickted

Its only a friendly tournament apparently so will that actually count in his list of appearances?

Charltonparklane

ForeverAddickted said:

Its only a friendly tournament apparently so will that actually count in his list of appearances?

Sure he won't give a flying one mate.

Norman_Smith

McGuane, a former pupil at St Paul’s Academy in Abbey Wood.

Is that the old Abbey Wood comp?

johnny73

Norman_Smith said:

McGuane, a former pupil at St Paul’s Academy in Abbey Wood.

Is that the old Abbey Wood comp?

I don't believe so but it is in the same location.

Addick Addict

LenGlover said:

Another player we missed....

More like a reflection of Wenger's lack of ability to develop youngsters. Arsenal under Wenger or Barcleona? Shouldn't have been a difficult choice to make especially as he had been there and seen the comings and goings over a 12 year period.

Carter

Good on him

guinnessaddick

johnny73 said:

Norman_Smith said:

McGuane, a former pupil at St Paul’s Academy in Abbey Wood.

Is that the old Abbey Wood comp?

I don't believe so but it is in the same location.

It’s the St Paul’s school that used to be in Wickham Lane.

Elthamaddick

great story, unbelievable for him..........

(never heard of him though !)

C_A_F_C

guinnessaddick said:

johnny73 said:

Norman_Smith said:

McGuane, a former pupil at St Paul’s Academy in Abbey Wood.

Is that the old Abbey Wood comp?

I don't believe so but it is in the same location.

It’s the St Paul’s school that used to be in Wickham Lane.

Yeah but it's now where Abbey Wood school use to be.

DRAddick

C_A_F_C said:

guinnessaddick said:

johnny73 said:

Norman_Smith said:

McGuane, a former pupil at St Paul’s Academy in Abbey Wood.

Is that the old Abbey Wood comp?

I don't believe so but it is in the same location.

It’s the St Paul’s school that used to be in Wickham Lane.

Yeah but it's now where Abbey Wood school use to be.

The schools were merged several years ago.