It feels great to be the first Ghanaian to score a hat-trick against Barcelona - Emmanuel Boateng

Ghanaian forward Emmanuel Boateng is ecstatic to be the first Ghanaian to score a hat-trick against Spanish giants Barcelona.

The 21-year-old scored his first career hat-trick for Levante as they ended Barcelona's unbeaten run in the La Liga. Boateng stole the headlines in Pains with his performance and by so doing he also becomes the first Ghanaian to score against Real Madrid and the Catalans in the same season.

"Preparations for this match was very good because we had won 4 games in a row and with such form, we knew we could win even though Barcelona is a big club," he told Oyerepa FM.

"As a striker what matters is to score and that was my prayer before the game but I never thought of scoring 3 so all the glory to God, I was very happy."

"I didn't know what to do after realizing I had scored 3 against Barcelona, I felt ecstatic and so happy, as young as I am and this is my first hat-trick in professional football. "

"It feels very great to be the first Ghanaian to score a hat-trick against Barcelona, a privilege I thank God for and Ghanaians for the support."

"My secret is prayers and hard work. Coutinho told me in Portuguese that I should continue with what am doing and that will take me to places. He asked me to believe in myself."

"I am looking forward to perform better than this in the national team, I have received an invitation for the 2 friendlies, it's an honour to wear the national colours and so I will do my possible best for Ghana".

Boateng has been invited to the senior national team and will be expected to make his debut against Japan and Iceland.