Valdet Rama has spoken about his passion for football, the best moments in his career and, among other things, he also recounted the experience of facing Lionel Messi and the joint doping control with the Argentine superstar.
Former footballer Rama joined Real Valladolid in January 2013. And after a home match against Barcelona, he and Messi underwent a doping test. Doping tests are common in professional football, and players are selected randomly.
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Mitrovica's Rama spent two seasons at Real Valladolid, where during that time he also had the opportunity to face Barcelona.
"At that time it was the best league in the world. Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Sevilla, were four Spanish clubs that dominated European football. It was a dream come true to compete against teams like that. I enjoyed it," the 38-year-old said.
Rama also answered the question of what it was like for him to share the field with stars who once played for Barcelona like Messi, Neymar and others.
"I'm a big Barcelona fan and appearing at the 'Camp Nou' for the first time was an incredible feeling. Normally you only know the players from video games or television, but being on the pitch with them - this is the best experience I could have had," the former Albania international stressed.
Rama's path to appearing on the same field as Messi and many other world football stars was not easy. He turned professional after taking his first steps in football in Kosovo.
"I came to Germany from Kosovo with my family in 1996. I was eight years old at the time and of course at first it was difficult for me to adapt because I couldn't speak the language and we had to find our way as a family in Germany. But from the beginning we felt extremely comfortable in Germany. Playing football has always been my great passion, but mainly only on the streets. I didn't play until later. Then I enrolled in a youth academy for Rot-Weiss Essen. After that, I moved to Wolfsburg, where I also spent three wonderful years," he stressed.
The former winger said he lacked luck at Wolfsburg.
"Unfortunately, I had some injuries there and then I realized that I had to try something new. I got an offer from Ingolstadt to play for the club in the second division. That's where my professional career really started. Personally, I had a good year in Ingolstadt, but the club was relegated. Then I got offers and chose Hannover. After that, I played in Sweden and Spain before returning to Germany. Being a professional footballer was always my dream, so I don't regret anything. I'm very grateful and proud to have achieved my goal," Rama said.
Rama's career as a professional player was special. He scored beautiful goals, had dribbling and explosions on the wing. He also appeared for Albania with great success. He played 15 matches for the red and black national team.