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Messi And Saviola Back Eto'o
(Goal.com) - Argentine forwards Lionel Messi and Javier Saviola have both backed Messi following his refusal to play against Racing Santander. However, Goal.com must point out that these comments were made before Eto'o lashed out at Ronaldinho and Rijkaard this afternoon.
"Maybe Samuel thought that he would get more time on the pitch after returning from injury," said Messi during a promotional event.
"He does not owe us any explainations," the youngster continued, after revealing that he had yet to speak with Eto'o. "When you have spent so much time away from action due to injury, it is normal that you are anxious to return."
"We must forget about that and focus on being even more united ahead of the next game [against Valencia on Sunday]."
Saviola, who was also present along with Messi - as well as Hugo Viana and David Villa - backed up his teammate.
"We must try to find out what exactly happened," he said. "The best possible thing is to solve it calmly. The faster it is solved, the less problems it will create."
Prophetic words, well before Eto'o responded ferociously to comments made by Ronaldinho and Rijkaard.
As a parting comment, however, Saviola let glimpse that he would have acted differently from Eto'o: "Even if it was for a minute, I would have played, because I love football."
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Comments
Mend the damage, get back your star. Barca needs Eto'o if they want to repeat in the Champion's League. Forza Barca!
Posted by: Adam | February 13, 2007 05:57 PM
Sorry, didn't read the first post on this subject, and have now changed my view. Take Eto'o off the first team! He's being an idiot, and is taking himself more seriously than Barcelona as a team. Eto'o, you're in the middle of a neck and neck race for la liga, and are about to face off against Liverpool (who happen to be one of the most decorated clubs in the world) in the Champion's league!! Get some sense into your head and apply yourself!!
Posted by: Adam | February 13, 2007 06:31 PM
Barca should make an example out of Eto'o
Posted by: giova * * * * | February 14, 2007 01:11 PM
saviola suffered many months with barcelona
on the bench off the team was treated like dirt but still he did not says or act so negative like that disgraceful eto.
lost all my respect for him. i wish his knee
may actup on on sunday put him out for 6 more months.
Posted by: soccer dr nyc | February 15, 2007 01:34 AM
This nonissue has gotten out of hand. This will get patched up in due time and Eto'o will get back to top form. He was provoked unnecessarily by Ronaldinho, whose performance has not been to the standard we have seen in the past and who needs to worry more about his own problems than a trivial 5 minutes at the end of a game. I say let your stars shine - play Eto'o the minutes he earned as scoring campeon hace un ano. Viva Barca!
Posted by: Apollo | February 15, 2007 03:25 AM
Enough with this guys that think they are unreplaceable!! it's pure bull s##t!, the coach is there for a reason, respect the team,respect the players on the field,respect the coach & the sport, get over it,if you get paid you need to be available for an entire game,or for 5 minutes,if you want to be a professional......ACT LIKE ONE!
Posted by: wolfen | February 15, 2007 05:25 PM
rijkarard should had featured eto'o in the martch against liverpool. the coach should observe all the previous matches without eto'o - they only scored by chances or opportunity. atleast he should have learnt a lesson by putting eto'o against liverpool. the disappointment facing barca in the match against liverpool caused by rijkaard. if rijkaard did not take heart the devil that brought down eto'o and messi is still the same devil that is causing confussion now and may cause another confusion btw the rijkaard and messi; so beware. again, what is the use of thuram?
Posted by: Jedna K. B. Wakili | February 24, 2007 10:11 AM
Messi and Saviola are 2 kids on a team of battle conditioned stars. If these young guys think it's ok to refuse going into a game then I am petrified of the direction the game is going in. They have phenominal talent and poise on the pitch. Let's hope they realise that respect and leadership go hand in hand with the talent and poise. If you have these 4 attributes you will always be a sought after, respected role model for millions of people around the world. The most important rules in professional football are: sacrifice for the team and always listen to the coach even if you think he's wrong. If you think he made a mistake you can talk with him after the game privately and let your thoughts be heard. He's the coach for a reason. Poor Rijkaard shouldn't have to go through all this crap. Answering questions surrounded by drama. This is a football team not some highschool girls gossiping and making accusations. "Be a man Eto'o, not a b*tch" And as for Messi and Saviola "Shut up!" Ronaldinho already said what had to be said, so don't get involved because it's not your place. You are both the kids on the team and have no authority to back anybody up except on the feild.
Posted by: giova * * * * | February 24, 2007 02:46 PM
They should go ahead and do it how they do it just go and walk it out. South side walk it out. East side walk it out. West side walk it out. North side walk it out.
Posted by: Keeeper King | February 24, 2007 03:44 PM
Hey! you should let Eto'o play the game. you you guys can't win without him. that is all i should say i don't care if it makes u anger.
Posted by: mohamed | November 20, 2007 08:33 AM