Adama Traore has revealed how he avoided the gang violence in Barcelona to become a footballer who now plays for Wolves in England.
Traore found himself in Spain as a little boy after his father moved from Mali.
He joined the academy in Barcelona FC but was always aware of the gang violence in his neighbourhood.
He told AS: “Yes, a lot of times. Me, my brother, a Dominican friend, everyone. At that time, being part of a gang was something that made you popular.
“But we had a different mentality. We wanted to be footballers, not part of some gang. You saw fights almost every day and we didn’t want to fight.
“Of course, I was in fights [anyway]. There were gangs in the school I went to. They fought each other constantly. I saw guns, fights with bats, knives, bottles… everything.
“They’ve done a great job in Hospitalet now though and everything is a lot calmer.”