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Facing Messi has been incredibly surreal - Nigeria's Olayinka

Slavia Prague and Nigeria international forward Peter Olayinka has described as “incredibly surreal” his rise to football stardom following a stormy start to his professional career.

Now playing in the Champions League with Slavia Prague and facing Barcelona, Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund in Group F, Olayinka is surprised at his own transformation after starting in Albania where he earned a low salary of $100.

Passing through Northern Cyprus and Belgium, the Ibadan-born player does not believe where his career has landed him now.

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“Six years ago I was still watching Lionel Messi, Romelu Lukaku, Gerard Pique and Axel Witsel on television in Nigeria, and it's been incredibly surreal playing against them in the Champions League,” Olayinka told BBC Sport.