Dong Bortey: Barcelona and Real Madrid pursued me

Former Black Starlets and Accra Hearts of Oak forward Bernard Don Bortey has recounted how he missed out on the opportunity to play for the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona due to the absence of professional management and other obstacles.

Bortey was part of Ghana’s squad that finished third at the U-17 World Cup in New Zealand 1999.

He enjoyed a stellar tournament and also scored a hat-trick during Ghana’s game against Thailand in the same competition.

"I was the best then and everyone wanted to see me.

The likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid,Man United and many other big offers from various places.

I was fifteen years then so I could not talk to an agent and I did not have a manager at the time.

Even the coach did not want me talking to agents so the offer was squandered.

Arsenal followed me to Ghana, Tony Adams was part of the team and I was with Hearts at the time.

They ended up signing Kolo Toure instead,” he told Godfred Akoto Boafo on Citi Tv’s Face to Face.

Despite being on the wrong end of the age ladder, the 36-year-old Bortey insists he is not retired and believes he can play a key role for any of the local clubs given the chance. Read Full Story