Bradley Barcola: The 'Grasshopper' Whose Family Helped Him Reach the Top - BBC Sport
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Barcola - The 'Grasshopper' Who Overcame Setbacks
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Figure caption: Barcola celebrates as France double their lead over Sweden
By Neil Johnston, BBC Sport journalist
Published 9 minutes ago
There was a moment, not too long ago, when Bradley Barcola's career appeared to have hit a snag. Having initially earned rave reviews for his regular appearances in Lyon's starting XI under Peter Bosz, the 20-year-old winger found himself out of favour and relegated to the reserves by October 2022, when Bosz was replaced by Laurent Blanc.
According to L'Equipe, Barcola was close to joining Swiss club St Gallen in January 2023 for more playing time, but an act of petulance by a team-mate helped him return to Lyon's starting line-up. Fans were frustrated with the team's poor form, targeting their anger towards first-choice striker Karl Toko Ekambi. The situation escalated when Ekambi stormed down the tunnel and kicked a rubbish bin in frustration after being substituted during a 2-1 home defeat by Strasbourg.
This incident was captured on camera, leading to Toko Ekambi never playing for Lyon again. Barcola seized this opportunity, starting most of the remaining matches that season, scoring five times, including a winner against Paris St-Germain in April 2023.
Five months after that crucial goal at the Parc des Princes, Barcola became a PSG player, with his reported £38.5m move coming two weeks after Brazil forward Neymar left for Saudi Arabia. Lyon, struggling in the table and unable to sign replacements due to financial restrictions, could not replace him.
"Barcola's first game for PSG was back at Lyon," Pierre-Etienne Minonzio, football journalist for L'Equipe, told BBC Sport. "He was booed by Lyon fans because it was soon after his transfer. PSG manager Luis Enrique asked Barcola, who was very young at the time, if he was ready to play. He said yes, came on as a substitute, and it was impressive."
Barcola, nicknamed 'the Grasshopper' for his speed, agility, and slender build, has since added three Ligue 1 titles and back-to-back Champions League victories to his collection in three seasons at PSG. He made his France debut two years ago and scored three goals as they reached the World Cup semi-finals this summer.
With Liverpool agreeing a £123m deal to sign him, Barcola is set for a move to the Premier League. It's been quite the journey from playing in the fields of Vaulx-en-Velin near Lyon to becoming a nine-figure superstar, but it hasn't been without challenges.
"Barcola is hugely ambitious," Minonzio added. "He is part of a new generation of young French talent who are willing to work hard and strive to be better versions of themselves. They don't ask questions; they just do."