Franck Kessie was Barcelona’s El Clasico hero on Sunday night, two months after Newcastle opted against signing the midfielder.
Barcelona beat Real Madrid in dramatic fashion, with Kessie scoring the winner in the 92nd minute to extend his side’s lead at the top of the La Liga table.
Xavi’s team are now 12 points clear at the top, and are well on course to win their first league title since 2019.
It was a neat finish from Kessie that won the game, as he converted former Newcastle target Alejandro Balde‘s cross to make it 2-1. It led to wild scenes on the pitch and in the stands, as Barcelona secured victory in world football’s most famous fixture.
The 26-year-old has rarely started this season, but came off the bench on Sunday night to score his first ever La Liga goal. And what a time to get it.
Kessie was Barcelona’s hero against Real Madrid, but he could be playing in black and white right now had things gone differently.
Newcastle scouts suggested signing Franck Kessie from Barcelona
At the start of the year, Newcastle were in the market for a midfielder. They had failed to sign one in the summer, while Jonjo Shelvey was sidelined with another injury.
Plenty of names were linked – one of which was Kessie. Midway through the January transfer window, the Daily Mail stated that Toon scouts had suggested a move to sign the Ivory Coast international.
That was because the 26-year-old was available for a move away from the Nou Camp, but Newcastle preferred other options.
Eddie Howe looked elsewhere, but was unable to get the midfielder he craved. Two months later and a player he turned down is scoring the winner in club football’s biggest game.
The Magpies will continue to search for a midfielder this summer, but it feels unlikely that Kessie will be on the Toon’s radar again after the club opted against signing him in January.
Kessie will be glad he didn’t make the move too, as he did something truly special on Sunday night.
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