FCBARCELONA.CAT

08.08.2007 09:41

Giovani the man of the moment

David Saura

He is the top scorer of the pre-season and one of the players on the best form. Giovani is in the first team for the first time ever and is surprising everybody from players to coaches and journalists.

The media may have focused on Henry, Eto’o and Ronaldinho, but young Giovani is turning out to be the real star. Both in Beijing and Yokohama, the Mexican has scored and now has as many in his account as his hero Ronaldinho, who has been fully supportive of his new team mate.

The help of the Under 20 World Cup

His physical might and ability to outrun opponents are two of his most outstanding characteristics. The player himself recently said that “the training for the Under 20s World Cup in Canada helped me a lot. I have a lot of games behind me and that is helping in this pre-season.”

Praise from Rijkaard

Frank Rijkaard has been one of the first to congratulate the Mexican on his performance in Japan, rewarded with the MVP trophy. In fact after the game against Beijing Guoan (0-3), the Dutch manager had already said what he had liked most had been the result and Giovani. After Yokohama he said “Giovani is confirming his progress and quality. He deserves it, he is working hard.”

Good players make it so much easier

The player has spoken to the press after both of his appearances in Asia, and has demonstrated that he has had no problems with the leap up from Second Division B to one of the biggest teams on the planet. “It is my dream” he said in Beijing. “I feel supported by all three (referring to Eto’o, Henry and Ronaldinho). I have played with all of them and they help me see football in an easier light.”

But despite all the media attention, the youngster is keeping his calm. “I want to keep working on a day to day basis and get to play as many minutes as I can. It is just the start of my career.” Right now, what he wants to do most is help the team to win titles.