ABOUBAKAR VINCENT CLEARS THE AIR:
“When Cristiano Ronaldo arrived, there was need for one player to leave. The coach called me and told me you see the situation; one foreign player had to leave between two others and I, and I told the coach ‘honestly, even before you came, I had the intention of leaving already’.
I told him i needed to leave. I told him it was best I go. Other clubs presented offers but I opted for Besiktas. Leaving became complicated. The club did not want me to leave.
They wanted me to stay and wanted to pay my salary till the end of the season. I said ‘President, honestly, I prefer leaving.’ Finally it was complicated but they let me go…When Cristiano came, we discussed for a while and he said he wished that I stay but I told him I wanted to leave. He asked me where my family is, and I said my family is in France and I prefer going to Turkey so that when I have time I can go see my kids. He said he understands that if my family is distant it becomes complicated. I was happy. I wanted to, and I had the desire to leave.”
Ade Divine (Canal+)