‘Are you a professional footballer?” was a question Thierno Barry had dreamed about answering in the affirmative, but on this occasion modesty was the best policy. With the pressure and everything, I lost my confidence, I lost the love to play football – I lost everything. My girlfriend said: ‘Go and play with these kids.’ I went and played and had a game. Barry has four goals in his past five Premier League games, helping Everton to 10th, four points off fifth. Will he be seeking a kickabout on Formby beach the next time he loses love for the game?

Source: The Guardian January 31, 2026 17:02 UTC