With 17,000 fans on hand in the heat for his signing ceremony at the Nou Camp — delayed an hour while last-minute paperwork was sorted out with Borussia Dortmund — Ousmane Dembele insisted hedoesn’t feel pressure to perform for Barcelona, which paid $176 million to make him the second most expensive player in history.
“I don’t feel pressure from these numbers,” hesaid. “In fact, more than pressure it’s a pleasure to be here.”
Dembele’s signing follows Neymar’s departure to Paris St. Germain.
“There’s abig difference between Neymar and me,” said the 20-year-old Frenchman. “Neymar is one of the best players in the world, I am very young. I’m improving day to day, trying to improve and togrow.
”I’m not here to replace Neymar. They needed a player in this position, they called me and I will give everything for this club. I’m 20, I have a lot to learn andthat’s why I’m at this big club.
“It’s an honor and a pleasure to play in a team with Lionel Messi, I want to learn from him. He’s a great player, the bestplayer in the history of football and I’m happy to grow in this team.”