Following his swashbuckling outing against Real Betis and Real Madrid, many admirers have been wondering who the 20-year old Ghanaian defender Abdul Karim Mohammed Salisu is, where he was born, how he started football and how he magically weaved his way into the Real Valladolid set up.
He was stupendous in his side’s opening 2-1 win away over Real Betis in the La Liga and staged a terrific performance against giants Real Madrid in their 1-1 stalemate at the Santiago Bernadeau.
FootballMadeInGhana.com had a one-on-one with the highly spirited defender on phone capturing his school days in Ghana, the local club he played for, how he entered the Spanish La Liga and many more.
FootballMadeInGhana.com will use the initials FMIG while Abdul Karim Mohammed Salisu goes with MS in the interview.
FMIG: Hello, Salam Alaikum Salisu and thanks for your time.
MS: Wa Alaikum Salam Wa Rahmatullahi Wa Barkaatuhuu. You are welcome and thanks for the opportunity for my first interview with a Ghanaian website.
FMIG: You seem to have popped up on the scene miraculously. Tell us about you. Who are you and where are you from in Ghana?
MS: As you already know, my name is Abdul Karim Mohammed Salisu. Born and raised in Sabon Zongo, a suburb in Kumasi Ghana. In am about 5.9 feet tall, a left footed center back.
FMIG: Since you were born in Ghana, where did you start schooling and who are some of your mates in Ghana?
MS: I started schooling at Central Mosque Islamic Basic School and yes, my mates are in Ghana.
FMIG: Have u played for any club in Ghana? If yes, which club and at what level?
MS: Yes I have. I played for African Talent Football Academy, a Second Division side in the Eastern Region
FMIG: How did you go to Spain and what was your first experience?
MS: My club secured me a straight contract from Valladolid in Spain. It wasn’t easy because I had a very big challenge which was the language barrier. As you know football is all about communication and I was 18 years and new in Spain. This made me very uncomfortable but gradually I am picking up the Spanish language.
FMIG: Your records show your first club in Spain is Real Valladolid. Tell us your experience of joining the club?
MS: Spanish football is full of techniques. It was easy for me because the players are technically good. I train very hard. When I arrived in Real Valladolid in October 2017, I was playing U19, I played only 3months and they promoted me to team B. I also played there for 5 months and I started joining the first team. I joined them before the season ended 17/18. I started a new season with the first team but I played both first team and second team. If I don’t go with the first team, I must to go with the second team and I was finding it very difficult because I had two coaches and different styles of play. In the 2018/19 season, I played only 2 matches with the first team that was Copa del Rey against Getafe home and away. And I did very well but was a little bit nervous. In that year, I extended my contract to 2022 with Real Valladolid.
FMIG: You played so we’ll against Real Betis and Madrid Madrid. How prepared were you for the games?
MS: It was a big game for me and an opportunity for me to show the world what I have. I was mentally focused and physically prepared. My concentration on the game was apt.
FMIG: Many Ghanaians were surprised when they saw you play against Real Madrid. How is your football dream unfolding?
MS: Not bad. It’s too early for me to say something now. But, yes, so far so good.
FMIG: Where do you see yourself in the next two years now that you are playing so well for Real Valladolid?
MS: Hoping to be one of the best defenders in the world, win the Champions League and also the best player in the world in the future.
FMIG: You are 20 years and still yet to play for any national team. Any interest to play for Ghana?
MS: For now, I don’t have thoughts of the national team. Maybe in the future. Or maybe for the U23 but not the Black Stars. As for the Black Stars, not now.
FMIG: Since you are regularly playing and doing well as such, what is your target for the season?
MS: To win the La Liga for my team.
FMIG: The Ghana U23 side will play Algeria next month in the Olympic Games qualifiers. Will u be ready to play for the team if the coach invites you?
MS: Yes.
FMIG: As a footballer, what has been your most challenging moment in your career?
MS: I think it will be this season because I’m the youngest central defender in my team and they didn’t use me much in the preseason even though I was doing well. So I thought I was going to be benched or will not be in the list. I was very surprised when I saw my name in the first list against Real Betis.
FMIG: What has been the most successful period of your career so far?
MS: Allah is great. I’m always grateful to Allah because I didn’t expect this. Everything came so fast.
FMIG: Barcelona and Real Madrid are the two most successful clubs in Spain, which one do u aim to play for?
MS: Barcelona.
FMIG: Thank you so much for your time and may Allah continue to guide and protect you.
MS: Amen. You are most welcome. Thank you too for your time.
