FCBARCELONA.CAT

28.08.2008 11:17

Happy birthday Bojan!

David Puig

This Thursday, Bojan Krkic turns 18. The Barça forward celebrates his birthday having consolidated himself in the first team. Since his debut in the Al-Ahli ground, Bojan has had an unforgettable season in which he has lived up to expectations.

Bojan Krkic Pérez was born in Linyola on the 28th of August 1980. His parents, Bojan and Maria Lluïsa couldn’t have imagined then that 18 years later their son would become a key player for FC Barcelona. Bojan Krkic comes of age having confirmed all expectations that were awakened during his formation period with Barça’s youth teams.

From the novice category to the Third division, Bojan was the top goal scorer for the teams he played for. It was only a question of time for him to start with the first team. Since his debut on the 24th of April 2007, Bojan has had an unforgettable season with many dates underlined on the calendar.

An unforgettable night

24th of April 2007: Bojan played his first game under Frank Rijkaard in a friendly in Al-Ahli’s stadium in Cairo . Only 16 years and nine months old, the forward became the fourth youngest player to make his debut with the first team. To make the night even more unforgettable Bojan also scored his first goal, scoring the second of four scored by Barça.

Debut in the league and a new record

16th of September 2007: Makes his debut with the first team in an official match in the ‘Reyno de Navarra’ stadium against Osasuna in the third game of the league. Bojan played the last 12 minutes and almost scored the goal that would have meant victory for Barça.

22nd of September 2007: makes his debut in the Camp Nou against Seville ( 2-1 ). The player received the ovation of the night when he came on as sub for Messi a minute from the end.

21st of October 2007: Bojan becomes the youngest goal scorer in a league game in Barça’s history. In the ‘Madrigal’ against Vila-real ( 3-1 ), Bojan scored the goal to draw even in the 24th minute. With only 17 years, 1 month and 22 days, Bojan went down in the club’s history.

24th of November 2007: The Camp Nou witnesses Bojan’s first goal in the stadium. In the 13th league game of the season against Recreativo de Huelva ( 3-0 ), Bojan celebrated his first goal in the Camp Nou with the fans.

Bojan makes history in Europe

19th of September 2007: Makes his debut in European competition in the Champions’ League against Olimpique de Lion ( 3-0 ). At 17 years and 22 days, Bojan is the youngest player in Barça’s history to play an official game in Europe.

1st of April 2008: Scores his first goal in European competition in the Veltins Arena against Schalke 04 ( 0-1 ). It was the first leg of the quarterfinals of the Champions’ League and Bojan scored the goal that put them on the way to qualifying for the semi-final.

Debut for Catalonia

29th of December2007: Bojan Krkic fulfils one of his dreams: to play for the Catalan national team. The forward made his debut in the game between The Basque Country and Catalonia (1-1) and scored the only Catalan goal.

Bojan and the Spanish squad

9th of September 2008: Bojan is runner up in the Under-17’s World Cup held in Seoul. The Spanish team lost in the final to Nigeria (1-0). Bojan was suspended and didn’t play the final but was chosen for the Bronze Ball as best player of the World Cup. He was also the second highest goal scorer in the competition with five goals.

1st of February 2008: The manager, Luis Aragonés calls Bojan up for the friendly against France. Bojan takes part in the Spanish national side’s training but illness just before the match prevented him from playing his debut. The manager once again calls him up for the Euro 2008, but the player, along with Luis Aragonés, decides to step down due to physical and mental tiredness caused by a very intense season.