FCBARCELONA.CAT

23.05.2007 15:15

“Criticism motivates me”

Berta Brau

Samuel Eto’o has said that more of a fuss then necessary has been made of an interview he gave to Spanish sports daily Marca this week, in which he spoke frankly about several topical issues concerning the club.

The striker told a press conference that “it shouldn’t matter, it was just a normal run of the mill interview” and does not see how his comments can affect the squad, saying “right now, there is a lot of dialogue between us, we go out for supper together and get to speak about a lot of things we never get to talk about during the day because there is not enough time. We have learned how important dialogue can be, and if we had spoken about these things earlier, we could have sorted a lot of things out a long time ago.” Eto’o is fed up with all the criticism in the media but confessed that “criticism motivates me, the more they attack me, the more I want to get out there and score goals.”

On his future

Doubts have arisen as to whether the Cameroonian will be staying at the club next season, to which he replies “I have not had any meetings with Joan Laporta to discuss the subject.” But Eto’o does not want to cause problems for either Rijkaard or Laporta and said that “if I ever become a problem for Barça, I’ll leave.” But whether he stays here or goes elsewhere, Eto’o insists that he will be giving it 100%.

Barça v Getafe on Saturday

Having been humiliated by Getafe in the Cup, Eto’o and his colleagues are keen to set the record straight against the Madrid based side on Saturday night at the Camp Nou. Said the Cameroonian “it is like a final, and we are going to have to score goals. It is shame that Saturday’s ‘final’ will not have extra time or penalties, so we are just going to have to get out there and score goals.” He was speaking in reference to the fact that Barça are struggling to score goals at home this season.