Thierno Barry's Remarkable Everton Journey: From Zanzibar Beach to Premier League Success
Thierno Barry has emerged as one of Everton's most important attacking players this season, scoring four goals in his past five Premier League appearances. The French striker's journey to this point has been anything but conventional, marked by personal struggles, international moves, and a profound rediscovery of his passion for the game.
Rediscovering Football on a Zanzibar Beach
Barry's path to Premier League success nearly derailed during his time at Swiss club Basel, where he experienced what he describes as losing "the love to play football." After failing to score in his first 16 Swiss league appearances and receiving two early red cards, the striker needed an escape. He found it on a Zanzibar beach, where a spontaneous kickabout with local children reignited his passion for the sport.
"I saw some kids playing on the beach," Barry recalls. "My girlfriend said: 'Go and play with these kids.' I went and played and had a game. I was dribbling and just loved to touch the ball and when I came back to Basel I was like a different person."
From Struggle to Premier League Breakthrough
The transformation was immediate and dramatic. Barry scored nine goals in the second half of that Basel season, earning a move to Villarreal where his 11-goal campaign attracted Everton's attention. The £27 million move to Merseyside presented new challenges, with Barry enduring a 16-game goal drought at the start of his Everton career.
Manager David Moyes maintained faith in his striker throughout this difficult period, and that patience is now being rewarded. Barry's recent scoring form has helped propel Everton to tenth position in the Premier League table, just four points off fifth place.
An Unconventional Football Education
Barry's football development followed an unusual path. Unlike many Premier League stars, he never attended a professional academy and only joined Sochaux at age 18 after failed trials with Clermont and Hamilton Academical. Remarkably, he has only been playing as a striker for the past two years, having previously filled defensive and midfield roles throughout his youth.
"When I was younger I never played as a striker," Barry explains. "I always played centre-back, right-back, left-back, all the positions but not striker. I don't know why. When I went to Sochaux I started to play more attacking."
The Personal Drive Behind Professional Success
Barry attributes much of his success to an extraordinary work ethic and personal drive. He employs a comprehensive support team including a personal trainer, nutritionist, two physios, and a chef. His commitment extends to practicing game scenarios in his garden and constantly seeking improvement, with his English language skills developing through watching Netflix series like Power.
The striker's left wrist bears the tattoo "Me v Me," a permanent reminder of his personal philosophy. "When I did the first six months it was like my fault if I didn't score, if I didn't play good," Barry says of the tattoo's meaning. "The second part was when I played good I saw it as me against me."
Finding Stability and Family in Merseyside
After playing for five clubs in five different countries over as many seasons, Barry is determined to establish roots at Everton. He has settled in Merseyside with his girlfriend and their nine-month-old daughter, viewing his previous moves as stepping stones toward his Premier League dream.
"All the previous clubs, before we talk I said: 'My dream is to play in the Premier League,'" Barry reveals. "If I come here, it's because I want to go to the Premier League, I want to prove here that I can play there. I think I want to do many years here, because it's the best competition in the world."
Everton Fans' Support During Difficult Times
Even during his early goal drought, Barry earned appreciation from Everton supporters for his relentless work rate. The standing ovation he received when substituted during his thirteenth goalless game against Fulham particularly moved him and his family.
"Sometimes it is not about a goal, but the sentiment," Barry reflects. "My parents were watching the game and they heard the standing ovation. After the game my mum called me and said: 'You see, the people love you. You need to give the love back.' Good things come to those who wait."
Now enjoying his best form in English football, Barry has found both goals and happiness at Everton. While he acknowledges that scoring runs cannot last forever, he has developed better coping mechanisms than most footballers. When asked if he would return to beach football during future difficult periods, he responds with characteristic optimism: "I play with my little baby, so it's OK."
