FC Barcelona president, Joan Laporta, ha reiterated that Samuel Eto'o is not for sale amid reports linking him with a move away from Camp Nou in the Italian and Spanish media.
"Eto'o is a reference point and he is not for sale," the Blaugrana supremo said. "He is looking
forward to starting training again and Barça's position remains the same as always." Laporta was
reflecting on the speculation that AC Milan have included the Cameroonian striker on their wanted
list during a meeting to tie up a collaboration agreement with UDA Gramenet.
Exciting times
"Everyone is looking forward to the start of the season," he continued. "The board are
thrilled that the supporters will be able to watch a team with incredible quality during the coming
year. It will be great to be able to see Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Eto'o and Lionel Messi play."
Confidence in the captains
Laporta then dismissed talk that the Barça club captains would be changed and reconfirmed his
belief that Carles Puyol, Xavi Hernández and Ronaldinho are doing a good job. "It has to be the
same
players," he said. "The captains of the team were chosen by the players
themselves and we are proud of Puyol, as well Ronaldinho and Xavi. I think they all have the
qualities to be captains and them taking the armband is great.
"On an internal level, solutions have be found so that everyone shared an active part in
resolving any problems that may arise, so that they be discussed during the season and that
everyone agrees," he added about the new internal code of conduct at the club.
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Community spirit
FC Barcelona currently has four non-EU players on their books, with Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto'o,
Giovani Dos Santos and Touré Yaya. President Joan Laporta though believes that two of them will
soon be off that list. "Ronaldinho and Eto'o currently hold non-EU status, but they have applied to
be nationalised and the process if very advanced. Dos Santos is also working his way down the same
path."