Adeyemi Scores First Goal for Barcelona
The former Borussia Dortmund player netted his first goal for the Catalan club in a 5-2 win over Basel, with Spanish media praising him as a signing that could earn a starting spot.
The former Borussia Dortmund player netted his first goal for the Catalan club in a 5-2 win over Basel, with Spanish media praising him as a signing that could earn a starting spot.
Karim Adeyemi, a 24-year-old winger, scored his first goal for Barcelona in a friendly match against Basel, which the Catalans won 5-2. Although it was a preseason game, the German put on a real show that delighted the Spanish media and sent a clear message to coach Hansi Flick.
Adeyemi moved from Borussia Dortmund to Barcelona in July 2026 for €22 million, after four years at the German club. Dortmund had paid around €30 million to RB Salzburg for him in 2022, and the transfer to Barcelona could rise to a maximum of €29 million with add-ons. Additionally, Dortmund secured a 35% sell-on clause, which could significantly offset their financial loss.
Against Basel, Adeyemi not only scored the opening goal but also assisted Hamzi Abdelkarim for the 2-1. In the closing stages, Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal sealed Barcelona's emphatic victory. Spanish newspaper Marca wrote that Adeyemi "shone brightly" and was the "man of the match," highlighting his versatility.
"He wants to secure a place in the starting lineup. In an attack where competition will be extremely fierce, the German is slowly gaining an edge. He played well on both the right and left sides and was decisive," Marca reported.
Another Spanish sports daily, Sport, hailed Adeyemi as the "star of the evening" after what it described as his best performance in the preseason. "His pace is impressive. At this level, he could be a major new signing," the commentary read.
Adeyemi's debut for Barcelona came in early August 2026 in a friendly against Birmingham City that ended 2-2. He played the first 45 minutes, and coach Hansi Flick was highly critical of his performance.
"He has much more potential than he showed. I've already seen a better Karim in training," Flick said after that match. He added that many things in his game were not good, but that was normal given it was only his first week of training.
"His pace and finishing quality are good; he has a lot of potential. And I also think he can give us a lot," the Barcelona coach stated.
Adeyemi spent last season at Borussia Dortmund under Niko Kovač, where he lost his starting spot and often came off the bench. Now at Barcelona, he wants a fresh start, but competition in attack is extremely strong with players like Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Anthony Gordon.
His performance against Basel could give him an edge in the battle for a starting spot, and Spanish media are already writing about him as a player who could be one of the signings of the season.
