‘Messi played with ME’: Samuel Eto’o snaps at reporter as Cameroonian insists Barcelona star played with him at the Nou Camp, after being asked of his experience playing alongside Argentine
- Samuel Eto’o took umbrage with a question regarding Lionel Messi at Barcelona
- Messi was promoted to a Barca team containing Eto’o and Ronaldinho in 2004
- The Cameroonian hit back at a question relating to Eto’o playing with Messi
- Eto’o scored 130 goals in 199 games for Barca when he was at his career peak
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.
Messi was promoted to a Barcelona side containing Eto’o, Ronaldinho and Deco in 2004
The Cameroonian insisted the Argentine played with him, rather than him playing with Messi
‘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.
Eto’o scored 130 goals in 199 games for Barcelona, but Messi was the star when he left in 2009
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.
‘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.’
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