Marquez: "You won't find a substitute for Eto'o"

Barcelona player Rafael Márquez gave an interview to Spanish football weekly paper Don Balón.





Tell me something about Rijkaard. You have known him from the day of his arrival until the day he left.
It's a very stable person. When he needed to be strong and severe, he was able to achieve that and when he wanted to be happy, sympathetic and trasmit us positive things, he also could do that. We liked his philosophy of being relaxed and close to us.

I have the impression that Guardiola has more rules...
Not as much as people are saying. But it's true that he is much more demanding when we have to work. He's firmer. Since he has been part of such an important club, this has made him focus more on some things. Regarding aspects like the discipline and the mentality, you can see that.

One of the moments that symbolized the end of Rijkaard's Barça was the game at the Bernabeu, when Barcelona had to pay tribute to the champions and was severely defeated. This was the saddest day for you?
It was more something I forgot about the same day. I just keep the good things.

You think that could be repeated if we look at how the teams are performing his season?
I don't know, we'll have to wait for the next game.

I say it because there seems to be a crisis in Madrid. Is there that much dfference in the way of playing between Barça and Madrid?
It's not about the way of playing. In the end, we're two teams with great players and when we face each other everything can happen.

It's not easy to praise Madrid these days... You think that the exit of Robinho has an influence on the performances of Schuster's team?
Not at all. I don't think one player alone can destabilize a team.

They sure don't seem very united... In your case, it's just the opposite: how has this squad been able to regain the joy and the companionship?
We're just all feeling comfortable and that is reflected on the pitch. It's extremely important to have a good atmosphere off the pitch and to be able to work with a happy group because if that's not the case, you easily have problems or disagreements. At this moment, the team is aware of that and we want to keep the dynamics going.

It hasn't been like this over the last two years...
We were trying it, but we couldn't achieve it. This season things have changed and now we're on the right way.

Eto'o was accused of being a destabilizing element and look where he is now. In what way has he changed?
He hasn't changed. Samuel is still the same person. We all know his character and his way of being. He's ambitious and he always wants to be the first. He puts his heart and soul in everyting he does. He is still here because he's a quality player.

You think that he's the best centre forward for Barça?
It's difficult to start looking for a centre forward with the same profile of Eto'o. Personally I don't think you'll find someone. I think that for now he's the best striker we can have.

Who was never on the market is Leo Messi. You would give him the Golden Ball this year?
Well, there has been a lot of talk about the issue but, as things stand now, Cristiano Ronaldo starts with an advantage. Titles are important in this perspective. On the other hand, Leo is very young and from now on, he'll always be a candidate to win the trophy.


This was the second part of this interview. You can read the following parts on the blog in the coming days with Márquez talking - among other things - about the renewal of his contract and the offers he received this summer.

Read the first part of this interview here:
Marquez: "We're starting a new era"