Adeyemi: Versatile Barcelona signing targets “special” season and Champions League glory under Flick

Karim Adeyemi says Hansi Flick did not need to persuade him to join Barcelona and believes his versatility can help deliver a “very special” season at the Camp Nou.

The Germany forward completed his move from Borussia Dortmund to Barca a week ago and is currently with the Catalan club’s squad at their training camp in England as preparations continue for the new campaign.

Adeyemi told Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo that a short phone call from Flick was enough to seal his decision.

“‘Convince’ is not the right word,” Adeyemi said. “He simply called me and asked if I wanted to join. I answered: of course, because it’s the biggest club in the world and these opportunities don’t come around often. He didn’t need to convince me. I’ve trusted him for a long time and I have a lot of respect for him.”

The 22-year-old, who worked with Flick in the Germany national set-up, believes that prior relationship will help him settle quickly at his new club.

“I hope he sees in me what I can bring to the team on the pitch,” Adeyemi added. “He knows me very well from the German national team and our relationship is very close.”

Memories of facing Barcelona

Adeyemi already has recent experience of playing against Barcelona at the highest level. With Borussia Dortmund, he featured in the 2025 Champions League quarter-final, a tie he still savours despite Dortmund’s elimination.

“What a great thing that was,” he said. “It’s one of the best matches you can play. You’re up against a great team, an historic club, and you always have a lot of motivation when you play against the best. Both games were really tough, but we enjoyed them.”

Barcelona won the first leg 4-0 at home, before Dortmund responded with a 3-1 victory in Germany that was not enough to turn the tie around.

“We almost won it,” Adeyemi said of the second leg. “If we’d had a bit more luck, we would have won.”

Looking ahead to making the Camp Nou his home, he is eager to step out at the rebuilt stadium once it is fully reopened.

“I think it will be amazing,” he said. “I don’t think it’s completely finished yet, but man, it’s a stadium with great history and it will be fantastic to be part of it.”

Germany recall on his mind

Adeyemi, who has been out of the Germany squad in recent international windows, sees Barcelona as a platform to force his way back into the national team.

“I think so,” he said when asked if Barca could be his route back. “But in the end I have to prove it on the pitch. I’m the only one who decides whether I return to the national team or not. I’m convinced that if I play well, I’ll be there.”

Describing himself as a player, Adeyemi stressed that his game goes far beyond raw pace.

“I have speed, of course, but I also bring other things to the game: speed, I’m good in one-on-one situations, I can play on the wing, as a centre forward,” he explained. “I think I’m versatile and that’s what makes me a bit different, maybe.”

Ronaldo the toughest opponent, Messi the best

Adeyemi named Cristiano Ronaldo as the strongest opponent he has faced so far, even if their encounter came when the Portugal star was not at his peak.

“We faced each other once but he was not at his best,” Adeyemi said, before underlining that in his eyes Lionel Messi remains the outstanding player of all.

He also set out ambitious collective aims for his first season in Spain, insisting Barcelona are capable of challenging on every front.

“I have a feeling this season will be very special and I hope we win a lot of trophies,” he said. “Great achievements are waiting for us; we want to win everything and we’re capable of that. That’s what we train for and we give our best every day.”

A Champions League title remains a personal obsession after Dortmund’s near-miss in 2024, when they lost in the final.

“Of course, my dream is to win the Champions League,” Adeyemi admitted. “I almost won it, but unfortunately we lost, and that’s my dream. That’s what I work towards every day.”

Competition with Yamal holds no fear

Adeyemi is expected to compete with Lamine Yamal and others for places in Flick’s front line, particularly on the right wing, but the former Dortmund forward insists he is not intimidated by the challenge.

“No, I’m not afraid of any player,” he said. “I know that if I give my best, I’ll have a chance to play.”

Away from the pitch, however, Adeyemi said he does not live and breathe football in the way some of his peers do.

“Honestly, I’ve never been the type who knows everything about every player and every name,” he admitted. “Some people might call me stupid because of that, but when I’m at home, I just want to do things other than football.”