Former Barcelona academy forward Jean Marie Dongou has opened up about his football journey, revealing that his toughest experiences in Spain were linked more to anti-Catalan sentiment than to racism.
The Cameroonian, once regarded as one of the brightest prospects to emerge from La Masia, reflected on his time in European football during an interview with the program Postunited.
Dongou explained that while he was not directly subjected to racist abuse, he often felt discriminated against because of his Catalan identity. His reflections shed light on a lesser-discussed challenge faced during his development years in Spain, contrasting with the more commonly highlighted issue of racial discrimination in football.
The former forward spoke warmly about Barcelona’s impact on his life, stressing that the club transformed his future and that of his family.
He revealed that he began earning significant money at just 13 years old, a situation that allowed him to support his parents and fund his sisters’ university education, effectively becoming his family’s main provider at a very young age.
Dongou also recalled the competitive path that led him to Barcelona, explaining how he was selected through the Samuel Eto’o Foundation. From an initial group of 300 children, the number was reduced to 60, then 12, before Barcelona eventually signed only three players, with Dongou among the chosen few.
He noted that the club supported him fully, providing accommodation, education, and football training as he progressed through the ranks.
His development culminated in appearances for Barcelona’s reserve team before earning a chance with the first team in 2013 under then-coach Tata Martino. Despite not reaching the heights many had predicted, Dongou acknowledged the significance of that milestone in his career.
The Cameroonian striker also shared insights into his experiences with the national team, revealing internal situations involving Samuel Eto’o. He claimed that Eto’o avoided eating with teammates due to fears of food poisoning and recalled an incident where the former captain refused to play if Dongou featured in the match.
