New signing Braithwaite vows not to wash Barca shirt after Messi embrace

New FC Barcelona signing Martin Braithwaite had an ideal start to his career with the club by providing two assists in a 5-0 drubbing of Eibar on Saturday.

Now he has already decided how he wants to remember the occasion —- by never washing his shirt.

Lionel Messi was already on three goals when Braithwaite came off the bench two days after completing a surprise move from La Liga strugglers Leganes.

The Denmark international soon helped the Barca captain get his fourth goal.

The 28-year-old beat a defender before sending a diagonal pass towards Messi, who teased his way past Eibar’s goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic to make it 4-0 before congratulating his new team mate.

“I won’t wash my clothes after I hugged Messi.

“He congratulated me, he’s a great guy and tried to make me feel comfortable on the pitch by passing to me often.

“I am very happy to have given my first assist to Leo,” Braithwaite told reporters.

Braithwaite was not far from marking his first appearance for Barca with a goal in the final few minutes of the game.

He fired a shot at Dmitrovic which the goalkeeper parried into the feet of Arthur Melo who tapped into the empty net.

“I feel bad for not having scored, but Dmitrovic did very well.

“It was an extraordinary debut, a dream come true. When the coach called me to warm up I was a bit nervous but looking forward to getting on.

“I feel very good here, I am surrounded by fantastic players,” added Braithwaite.