Original article @ Bleacher Report
by Adi-Oula Sebastian (edited for totalBarça by OmarX)
AC Milan finally got their man… Adriano Galliani hustled FC Barcelona yet again. This time they managed to con FC Barcelona for their most expensive signing in Zlatan Ibrahimovic for a mere €24.000.000 payable next year.
Yesterday was the second time that Samuel Eto’o had returned to the Camp Nou since his departure last summer. The Barca fans took the time to applaud him, even after the game was over. Due to his total dedication to the blaugrana, he’ll always be thought of fondly by most supporters. Speaking in the post-match press conference, Eto’o talked about his feelings during the game.
Former FC Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o insisted that there is only one possible name that could be on a theoretical list of the best players on this planet; that name is Lionel Messi. But despite that fact, the Cameroonian international warned that Inter is determined not to let their own Champions League hope go down the drain without a fight.
“If there is a god of football right now, his name has to be Messi, just as it’s impossible not to say that the best team in the world at this moment is Barcelona,” football-italia.net quoted him as saying.
Samuel Eto’o’s and FC Barcelona’s path will cross again this week. The former Barcelona hero – now in the ranks of Inter Milan – will, for the third time this season face his former teammates in the semi-finals of the Champions League.
Originally titled “‘IbracadARRRGGHHHH how could he scuff that one?!’ A culé considers requesting a refund,” I decided that was too harsh and not really what I’m arguing. But I miss Sammy, and I’m getting tired of watching Ibra pout on the field. So I went looking for constructive criticisms….
After scoring a fantastic goal that saw Inter Milan overturn Chelsea in the last 16 of the Champions League, Samuel Eto’o may well find himself back at the Camp Nou once more this season, this time for a potentially intriguing Champions League semi-final. So now seems a good time to revisit an in-depth interview given by the former FC Barcelona favourite. The interview, given to Four-Four-Twomagazine in February, finds the Cameroon international discussing his time at Barca, his relationship with Pep Guardiola, as well as his big-money move to Inter and everything that entails.
Below are some excerpts from the interview.
The goal Lionel Messi, FC Barcelona player and Argentine international, scored against Malaga was his 71st league goal for Barcelona.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Tuesday revealed the top three nominees for the Glo-CAF Awards 2009 at a press briefing in Accra, Ghana.
Ex-Black Stars defender Anthony Baffoe revealed the identity of the nominees for the various categories at the ceremony attended by Kwesi Nyantakyi, President of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) and other sporting dignitaries
The flagship award, African Footballer of the Year 2009, has former Barca star and Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto’o (29), Ivorian striker Didier Drogba (32), and Ghana midfielder Michael Essien (26) as the contenders.
Inter Milan striker and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto’o (28) has revealed that he misses life in Spain following his summer move to Inter Milan.
In a recent interview with Four-Four-Twomagazine Liverpool striker Fernando Torres, 25, revealed the five forwards who have inspired him the most, with the list including two former Barça greats and one current Azulgrana.
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Samuel Eto’o was interviewed in October 2009 by Michael Robinson in his Spanish program “Informe Robinson” from Canal+.
After Lionel Messi’s hand of god, it is time for another edition of Caption This. As you can see from the picture above, this is indeed the very special kung-fu edition, proudly sponsored by Abidal. Leave your say, in the comments below.
According to Spanish news agency EFE, FC Barcelona is going the parade all six of the cups that they won in 2009 at the Camp Nou on Saturday before the match against Villarreal. And the club is planning on celebrating the event with everyone – including all of its former players who played a part and were responsible for the haul.
Thus, Eto’o, Gudjohnsen, Sylvinho, Hleb, Caceres and Jorquera are invited to attend the event – where all the players will enter the pitch carrying the cups, a final destination after their rolling display through 110 Catalunya municipalities. It is the Catalan club’s way of commemorating the 110th anniversary of its formation.
Some, if not most of these players may fail to be there however, as some are having to play a match of their own that day and that includes Sylvinho who currently plays for Manchester City (FA Cup against Middlesborough), and Albert Jorquera of Spanish Segunda Division side Girona (league match against Recreativo Huelva).
Catalan sports paper Sport reports that Barcelona’s African duo, midfielders Seydou Keita (29) and Yaya Toure (26) are among five finalists for the 2009 African Footballer of the Year award, which is organized by the Confederation of African Football (CAF).
The three others nominees for the award are Chelsea forward and Ivorian international Didier Drogba (31), Chelsea midfielder and Ghanaian international Michael Essien (27) and former Barcelona player and Inter Milan forward Samuel Eto’o (28), who plays for Cameroon.
The great season of Barcelona echoes from the choices, since three of the nominees played for Barcelona in the last season. The winner will be announced 25th of February at the awards gala, and will be decided by the votes of the national federation selectors.
Barcelona and Argentina forward Lionel Messi (22) has today been announced the winner of the 2009 Ballon D’Or. Messi has become the first Ballon D’Or winner from Argentina, eclipsing runner-up and last year’s winner Cristiano Ronaldo by a record 240-point margin. The award’s 96 jurors gave Messi 473 points out of a possible 480, ‘a near unanimous verdict’ the magazine said. Messi lead Barcelona to a Champions League title with 9 goals, as well as bagging 6 in the Copa del Rey and 23 in the league bringing his total goal tally to 38 for the season.
Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo (25) came in 2nd with 233 points and Xavi (29) placed 3rd with 170 points. Andres Iniesta (25) and former Barcelona striker Samuel Eto’o (28) also joined their teammates in securing four of the top 5 positions in the results.
Furthermore, Barcelona’s newest signing and El Clasico hero Zlatan Ibrahimovic (28) came in 7th after he topped the Serie A goalscoring charts for Inter Milan last season. French international and Barcelona forward Thierry Henry (32) earned 9 points which put him in the middle of the table. The unsung hero of last seasons Triplete, Barcelona and Ivorian midfielder Yaya Toure (26), placed 28th as he tied him with Bayern Munchen and French winger Franck Ribery (26) with only 1 point to his name.
Cameroon striker Samuel Eto’o has filed suit against his former club, FC Barcelona, for failure to pay a commission of three million euros to him for being part of a deal that saw him transferred to Inter Milan in a ‘cash plus swap’ agreement between the two clubs, reports Madrid sports paper Marca. The decision was taken after reconciliatory negotiations between the two parties failed to reach a satisfactory settlement two months ago.
The trial is scheduled for April 8 next year.
In a short inter-change with Spanish national television TVE, Inter Milan’s striker Samuel Eto’o, admitted to have felt “strange” playing against his former team in the Camp Nou and that the standing ovation and warm reception overwhelmed him.
At the end of the match, Eto’o congratulated his former teammates and expressed his wish to see that “Inter and Barca could come together at the Bernabéu (for the Champions League final).”
” I say my heartfelt thank you to everyone. It was a little strange to be in the other dressing room but this is a football. I hope that Barcelona will continue like tonight and for us to win the match that we have left at home and qualify,” the Cameroonian said.
Inter Milan Cameroonian striker, Samuel Eto’o yesterday said he is happy to be able to return to the Camp Nou tonight and look forward to measure himself up against his former team in an interview with the Spanish state-owned television channel TVE. Here is the rest of the interview:
Pep Guardiola said the reason for you leaving the Camp Nou was that he had a ‘feeling’ about you and your relationships within the dressing room (referring to Pep Guardiola’s reply to a question about his decision to swap Eto’o for Ibrahimovic a few months ago).
But how can he have a ‘feeling’? I’m not a woman. I’m not Penelope Cruz (sarcastically). Please be fair and don’t try to manipulate matters or see something that is not there.
This is part 2 of a two part interview.
In an interview with Catalunya based radio station RAC 1 yesterday, former FC Barcelona player Samuel Eto’o assessed the controversy surrounding his exit out of the Camp Nou.
The Cameroonian striker’s move to Inter Milan, in a swap plus cash deal, has become a sad chapter for the club and the player’s life but Samuel Eto’o said he prefers to keep all of the good memories of his time at the club – a club that made him a great player that he is today. And yet there is still the unresolved issue of the 15% cut the player is demanding from his transfer fee from Barcelona.
“In football things are always happening, and decisions are made. There will be people who made decisions without consulting others and you have to accept them whether you like it or not,” the player lamented, believing that the most important thing for him now is that he is “happy” playing for the Italian club.
This is part 1 of a two part interview.
In an interview with Catalunya based radio station RAC 1 yesterday, Inter Milan’s forward, Samuel Eto’o admitted to missing the atmosphere of the Camp Nou, and is looking forward to playing again in front of the fans who once cheered him on for many years: “I have a lot more good memories there than bad. I hope to return with joy because when I went away to Inter, I never thought I would ever play in the Camp Nou again. I am not looking for any homage though, because I have already got that from my former teammates. I am the one who should be grateful for being given the chance to wear the club’s colours. If I could, I would give a hug to each and every one of the Camp Nou spectators”.
The Cameroonian striker also denied opinions that he will mete out any intentions of revenge when he visits the Camp Nou next Tuesday: “I have made a lot of friends there, I can’t have (any feelings of) revenge. I left Barcelona with a clear conscience and harbour no bitterness,” who also acknowledged that he won’t celebrate any goal he scores: “To score is one thing, because it’s my job, but to celebrate it, I will not”.
After being heavily linked with EPL duo Robinho and Javier Mascherano, ESPN soccernet reports that Barcelona have insufficient funds to buy any of the two, a fact that makes a loan move for Robinho much more likely. Barcelona’s lack of finances comes after spending this summer 66 million euro’s on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, including Samuel Eto’o. Robinho wants a transfer to Barcelona, who wants to loan him as they cannot afford him, and there are no guarantees of a future move. A source close to the club is supposed to have said that Barcelona have made it clear that they want him on loan:
“Barcelona have made it clear they are talking about a loan deal only and it is hard to believe that will happen. Barcelona were, at one time, very interested in Mascherano, but no longer. At one stage I would have said ‘yes’ that a deal could happen, but now I would have to say ‘no’. I would say that Barcelona do not have the sort of funds to buy either Robinho or Mascherano.”
Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi (22), told Italian sports paper La Gazetta Dello Sport in an interview that they have to watch out for Inter’s attacking duo, Gabriel Milito and Samuel Eto’o. Speaking about the upcoming game against the Italian side within two weeks he said that they have to win after the points they lost against Rubin Kazan.
“We have to win. and that’s it. After losing points with Rubin, we’re forbidden from making any more mistakes at home. Otherwise qualification for the next stage would be really at risk. We have respect for Inter, but we sure don’t fear them. They are strong in all areas and have the ability to play several tactical schemes whilst in play. They have a great trainer in Mourinho, of whom you speak a lot.”
Asked about who he wants to win tonight by Mallorca’s official website, Eto’o said he has “a great affection” for both Barcelona and Mallorca, and for that reason he would not choose either one: “Right on the pitch center circle, so no one can say that I am more for one side than the other,” he said.
“My professional duties compel me to be here (Milan). We have the match against Roma, so the only chance I get to see the match is on TV. I will follow it closely,” confessed the Cameroonian striker, when asked if he wishes he could see the match at the Camp Nou.
Eto’o who has always reiterated his desire is to finish his footballing career at Mallorca, praised the Balearic club fifth position in the league.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has some very big shoes to fill; 130 goals from some 200 official matches scored by his predecessor to be exact, according to Catalan sports paper Sport. Coming to a team that has won everything but still seeking excellence, he was touted to lead a change in the team’s playing style, a style that had given it an unprecedented success in its history.
Such a change will undoubtedly create controversy. And for a while there were uproars heard questioning the merit of the change. And to add to the spice, as luck would have it, Inter Milan and FC Barcelona were drawn into the same group in the draw for the Champions League.
Jimmy Jump is well known for his ‘jumps’ throughout the world. He is a cule and has often ‘jumped’ on the pitch when Barcelona has played games. Last time in February when Barca played at El Sardinero against Racing Santander. According to his own website (www.jimmyjump.com) it says he wanted to Barcelona’s goal number 5000, but that did not go so well as Samuel Eto’o “walked him” out of the pitch. He has not only ‘jumped’ during football games. One time he ran on Formula 1 road during the race, and earlier this year he jumped into a tennis game between Roger Federer and Robin Søderlin.
Two weeks ago he tried to ‘jump’ when Sweden played their World Cup qualification game against Albania, but the police took care of him after a tip from the Swedish sport magazine Sportsbladet, who said he would put a barretina (Catalan hat) on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s head.
Catalan newspaper El Mundo Deportivo reports that former Barcelona forward and Cameroonian international Samuel Eto’o (28) visited in Barcelona to present a charity campaign “Shoes for Africa”, an act that prevented again analyzing the controversial departure of Eto’o. He was satisfied with the change that made him an Inter Milan player after winning everything in Barcelona.
Speaking about the lawsuit filed in relation to the signing bonus requested by the Cameroonian striker, Eto’o said: “I have never demanded anything from Barcelona.” Despite this apparent contradiction, the Inter Milan player said with insistence that he has never asked any bonuses from Barcelona.
Catalan paper El Mundo Deportivo today published an extract from French TV Canal Plus interview with former Barcelona centre-forward Samuel Eto’o that is to be aired next Thursday. In it the Inter Milan player said that many people in FC Barcelona had disappointed him: “Yes, I think if I say two, people will probably say they are Pep (Guardiola) and Joan (Laporta), but there are also other people who let me down, many more.” He also talks of the “many injustices” he suffered at the club and describes his departure as being very “hard” to take.
The player, while having just criticised Laporta and Guardiola in the ‘Robinson Report’ interview will give a press conference in Barcelona next Monday to promote the ‘Shoe Aid for Africa’ campaign, supported by Kiwi footwear brand in collaboration with El Corte Ingles and Hipercor. It will be interesting to see how he conducts himself when he has to step out of those criticisms and present a public show of solidarity with the people he criticises.
Inter Milan’s Cameroon striker, Samuel Eto’o, has said that the level of football of the Italian league is “harder” than the Primera Liga, reported the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport today.
Confronted by the sports newspaper, Eto’o added, “In Italy small teams try to play, before attempting to neutralize their adversary,” recounting, “I have seen how well Bari plays against Udinese, and Sampdoria has beaten all of us. It’s hard every time.”
Responding to the statements made by the Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which claimed that Inter does not have that many players who can make a difference as is at Barcelona, the Cameroonian replied, “that’s his opinion” and said that he was happy to be at Inter, and assured that the atmosphere there is great, but in the end admitted, “even if you talk (the Italians), I won’t understand you.”
Catalan paper Sport today carried a report regarding the reasons as to why FC Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola chose to enforce the transfer of Cameroonian striker, Samuel Eto’o.
The report commences by asking the question on everyones lips, the question even Eto’o himself is unable to conjure up an answer for – why was Samuel Eto’o sold? Moreover, why did Pep Guardiola request Joan Laporta and Txiki Begiristain to sell the club’s top goalscorer in the league, and the man who is touted as one of the most dangerous strikers in Europe?
When Guardiola first took over the position in the summer leading up to the 2008-09 season it was stated that Samuel Eto’o would not be continueing on at the club. However a good ‘attitude’ from the striker saw him, despite the rumours, stay at Barcelona for what would be a treble-winning season.
Luis Figo, the former Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Barcelona player, who now takes care of international relations for Inter Milan, spoken to Italian sports newspaper Corriere dello Sport and reveals that it is his dream to see Lionel Messi play for his employer, as was reported by FC Inter News.
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