Samuel Eto’o: Point of correction “Messi played with me”

 

Samuel Eto’o snapped at a reporter after being told that he played with Lionel Messi at Barcelona, with the Cameroonian insisting that the superstar played with him.

Eto’o starred as Barcelona’s No. 9 from 2004 to 2009 and was at the Nou Camp when a young Messi burst onto the scene as a sprightly 16-year-old.

The Cameroonian scored 130 goals in 199 games for the Catalonians, a spell when he was at the peak of his powers with Messi undoubtedly learning plenty from his team-mate.

Samuel Eto’o snapped back at a reporter’s question regarding his time with Lionel Messi

However, by the time he left the LaLiga side it was abundantly clear that Messi was the star of the team – then coached by Pep Guardiola.

Eto’o has long championed Messi’s case for being the best footballer of all time, but the 40-year-old felt the need to set the record straight when a journalist said that he played with Messi at Barcelona.

‘You mention Messi, what can he [Ansu Fati] learn from Messi? You obviously played with him…’ the reporter asked.

‘No. He played with me it’s different,’ Eto’o retorted. ‘Messi played with me. I didn’t play with Messi. In my time, Messi played with me. It’s totally different. It’s totally different.’

Messi made his Barcelona debut in October 2004 and was promoted to a side containing the likes of superstars Eto’o, Ronaldinho, Xavi and Deco.

Messi has long been the star name of Barcelona, although the Argentine is currently a free agent following the expiration of his contract last month.

The 33-year-old is expected to commit his future to the club, with reports that he will accept a huge reduction in his salary amid Barcelona’s financial turmoil.

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‘I can’t imagine Leo with another shirt. It is his club, his home, his love,’ he said via Goal.

‘I do not think that his continuity is due to a question of money. Leo is Barcelona and Barcelona is Messi.

‘I know [President Joan] Laporta is preparing a reliable, interesting project for him.’