Barca call nearly evaded Adama

ADAMA TRAORE was lucky enough to start his career at one of the biggest clubs in the world – but a missed phone call almost cost him his chance with Barcelona.

He joined the Spanish giants in 2004 at the tender age of eight and stayed for 11 years.

It could have all been so different though.

The Traore family had just returned from holiday and mother Fatoumata noticed a number of missed calls from the same number.

She initially ignored it but eventually curiosity got the better of her.

The Wolves winger said: “We had been to Mali to see my family for the first time. My mum didn’t take her phone.

“When we got back we noticed a lot of missed calls from one number.

“It rang again, that same number.

It was Barcelona. They were asking about me going training with them.

“My mum said, ‘You’re joking’, and put the phone down.

“They had to call back again and convince her it was true.”

A good job she believed them or it would have robbed her son of a footballing education rubbing shoulders with Lionel

Messi, Carles Puyol, Andres

Iniesta and Xavi every day.

Traore said: “It was amazing.

Being with Neymar, Messi, Alexis

Sanchez – but Xavi was the one.

He was a very good captain.

“He used to speak about his life.

He had been in the same position as us, so he knew. He would help with advice on women!”

Today, Bristol City are in Wolves and Traore’s sights with an FA Cup quarter-final spot on the line.

The ex-Middlesbrough man said

“We have won a lot and are playing with confidence but we can improve.” NEIL MOXLEY