Former Premier League player Thievy Bifouma saw his dream of playing against Cristiano Ronaldo scuppered after an unfortunate – but rather comedic – error.
Bifouma has enjoyed a nomadic career since first breaking through at Espanyol in 2010, going on to play for sides in Spain, Turkey, France, Greece and even China.
The 32-year-old even endured an ill-fated six-month loan spell at West Bromwich Albion under Pepe Mel in 2014.
As he approached the final few years of his career, Bifouma still had one big sporting ambition left – to play against Portugese icon Ronaldo.
So when Iranian club Esteghlal approached him with an offer, he was more than happy to sign, believing he would have the opportunity to play against Ronaldo’s Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr in the AFC Champions League.
‘I had the chance to play in Turkey, but my wife didn’t want to move back there,’ he told Tasnim News Agency.
‘Considering that he is now in Asia and there was an opportunity for me to come to Iran, they talked to me about Esteghlal’s offer.
‘And I reviewed the calendar of games and realised that they have a game against Al-Nassr. I said to myself that this is where I wanted to go.’
Having signed the paperwork and arrived in the country, Bifouma soon found out there was a problem – he had signed for the wrong team.
While Esteghlal FC were indeed scheduled to face off against Ronaldo, Bifouma had instead mistakenly signed for Esteghlal Khuzestan, a smaller team with the same first name.
‘I had no idea there were two teams named Esteghlal in Iran,’ the forward later admitted.
‘When I arrived in Tehran, my countryman Gael Kakuta called me and asked where I was.
‘I told him, “I’m at the hotel undergoing medical tests.” He then asked, “Which hotel are you in? I’d like to come and see you”.
‘An hour later, he called again and teased me, saying, “You play for the small Esteghlal, while we’re part of a bigger team. You defend, and we attack”.
Despite the unfortunate error which may have ended his hopes of ever facing off against Ronaldo, Bifouma has settled in nicely at his new club, scoring three goals in his first ten league games.
And the Congolese international even got one back over his fellow countryman Kakuta when he scored on his debut to help his new side to a 1-0 win over Esteghlal FC, the team he originally thought he was joining.
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