To understand the magic secret of Arno Danjuma, a Villarreal player, one has to go back to the days before the first game in the Champions League quarter-final against Bayern Munich.
The Dutchman, interviewed by Chesed, sat down with journalists from several media outlets, saying, among other things, the following: "It is quite clear that I am one of the best extremists in the world," then added that "my physical abilities are similar to Killian Ambape's," and signed "No I have boundaries. "
Danguma talked a lot, but also did a lot.
It was his goal - the sixth of the season in the Champions League and the 14th in all competitions - that gave the yellow submarine a 0: 1 victory over the German champions, which brings it with an advantage to the rematch to be held tonight at the Allianz Arena.
While few believe she has a chance to advance to the semifinals, Danguma is one who always believes.
In the group, and especially in himself.
Denjuma (25) gained the confidence and faith throughout the difficult journey they had brought so far.
He was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and at a young age moved to his father's homeland - the Netherlands.
He started his professional career only at the age of 18, at PSV Eindhoven, and since then his goal has been one - to keep his graph of improvement on the rise.
"I started at 18," he told Spanish Al Pais this week, "and at 19 I was already better, and at 20 even more. I was transferred to a team, and at 22 I was better, I moved to Bournemouth, at 23 I improved even more, and now I play In Villarreal. "
This career story from Danguma's mouth is short and to the point, but it lacks a great deal of detail.
The Dutchman faced his parents' divorce at a young age, was forced to sleep in a car while his mother looked for a place to live, and at one point lived with foster families with his brother and sister.
"My dad would pick me up from school, take me to the foster family, pick me up from there for football, and then take me back to their house," he told The Athletic.
In the midst of all this confusion, Danguma tried to build a career for himself.
Realizing that at PSV this would not happen he moved to the NEC Barda and from there to Club Brugge, then came to Bournemouth who went down to the Championship.
There was his big break.
15 goals he scored in the sub-league turned a lot of eyes in the direction of the extremist.
Many teams tried to sign, but Danjuma chose Villarreal, and especially Onai Emery.
Arno Danguma, Photo: AFP
"He explained to me exactly what I could learn from him," the player said of the conversation with the coach.
"With my mentality and his knowledge, I realized that at Villarreal I could make another career upgrade."
This season, this upgrade has arrived.
Eight goals in the league are not a particularly exciting figure, but the six in the Champions League is definitely yes.
Danjuma scored a double against Atalanta that lifted Villarreal to the last 16, where he scored against Juventus in a 0: 3 victory, with the highlight - as of this moment - being the winning goal over Bayern.
Aimed at great moments
For Danjuma, every goal - no matter how big - is true for this very moment.
"We have an amazing team, and the Spanish league is great, but I really did not finish," he says, making it clear that his future is still ahead of him.
With an exceptional work ethic, which includes a daily training program with a pioneer coach, watching tapes, fitness and strength training and an uncompromising desire to learn and progress all the time - Danjoma aims for many more great moments later in his career, with the Dutch team recording six appearances To lead tonight to the Champions League semi-finals, for the first time since 2006. Although this is a particularly difficult task, certainly when facing Bayern Munich, who have scored 20 goals in their four home games this season in the Champions League, but even if Dungeon fails - his improvement graph will continue to show an upward trend.
Speed and power, as well as willpower and self-belief, have made the Dutchman a much-sought-after player on the major teams on the continent.
According to reports, already in the first game in Spain were present in the stands scouts of teams from England, including Manchester United, who were very impressed with his performance.
Tonight he has another chance to impress and surprise everyone except himself.
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