Eto'o: "I can still go higher"

Barcelona player Samuel Eto'o gave an interview to French sports site Sportweek.





You will soon turn 28. People say that's the age of maturity for a football player, and more in particular for a striker. Does that scare you?
No, '28 years, the age of maturity', that's just one of these expressions. I myself know that I can still go higher. I'm proving it this season. last summer, I wasn't really welcome at Barcelona. Some people within the club had doubts on me because I suffered a serious injury and it took me some time to return. Nowadays, nobody has doubts anymore. But that's football. people forget very quickly and you always have to proove yourself, show who you are, what you're capable of. Every day, on training. Nothing is given to you.

Not even to you?
Not even to me.

What could prevent Barcelona from becoming the Spanish champions?
We ourselves could. We have such an enormous series of wins that there's a risk we loose focus. We're close to perfection, we're playing incredibly well but that's all fragile. That shouldn't be forgotten.

Last november you said that the team that won the Champions League in 2005-2006 was better than the team of this year. You've changed your mind?
No. We didn't win anything yet. And that's the only thing that matters when judging the quality of a team.

How would you describe the harmony you seem to have inside?
Harmony, that's knowing where to go on the pitch and when to do it. When I watch Leo Messi or 'Titi' make a move, I know what they want to say and instictively I know where to go to. But it's not like that every Sunday. It's enough that one of us is not on top to make everything more complicated.

Olympique Lyon can eliminate you from the Champions League?
In theory we should be a little better but honestly, that doesn't mean anything. They also have great players.

That's just waffle. Which Lyon player would for example have a spot at Barça?
Impossible to say. In football, it's all about adapting. Without thinking too much: Benzema, Juninho and Jean II Makoun.

Jean II Makoun? You're just mentioning him because he's one of your Cameroon friends...
He's a very close friend of mine, but I also think he's a great player who at this moment isn't showing everything he's capable of. If he would be able to join a really big club, that would change a lot of things. I'm not saying that Lyon isn't a big club but there's still a higher level.

Some short questions at the end. How many mobile phones do you have?
Approximately 400. I collect them. It's really a bad obsession.

Who's the most famous person in your directory?
Georgette, my wife.

If there would be made a movie about your life, who could play you?
Denzel Washington. I've adored him in 'American Gangster'.

If you would meet God, what would you like him to say to you?
That I will live long and that I will be able to see my children grow up.

Why did you refuse to pose with the Barcelona shirt?
I don't like players who kiss their shirt after having scored, while the next day they wouldn't hesitate one second about joining another club if they're offered a few millions more. For me, the club of my heart is Mallorca and at this moment I'm working for Barça. That's all.


This was the second and last part of this interview. Read the first part here:
Eto'o: "I already made a decision on my future"