Zlatan: “Messi is like a playstation”
Zlatan is with the team in the United States, convalescing after an operation. In an interview he gave to the Mundo Deportivo he shared his thoughts about the atmosphere, the team, Messi, his first days as Cule…
These are your first days in Barca, how does it feel?
To be honest it’s quite difficult with my hand injured, watching the team on the pitch and not being able to play. I have a great desire to start training with my teammates and have fun with them. I’ve been give a lot of help from everyone. You know what is the best thing? Everything is so simple here, people are very relaxed and nothing is forced. From the moment I came I felt like at home. I’m also able to converse with Pep in Italian. He speaks perfectly and he already told me where he wants me to play.
Did you know Pep?
I knew what he was doing with Barca, he transmitted his mentality to the team and learned the players to respect the ball. Of course I knew Pep as a football player. If you don’t admire and know who Pep is, they you don’t know a thing about football.
Pep always trains with the ball…
Yes, Ajax has a similar philosophy and also Jose Mourinho gives a lot of importance on having practices with the ball. Here, I’ve seen how intense the trainings are, all the players are hardworking. I love to work hard, and if you train like this then you can expect to be successful. Regardless of the quality, it should always be hard work.
What is also different in Barca in comparison with other teams?
This is a winning team. Do you know what this means? You have to become better with each day. When you play for a team like Barca, you can be sure that every opposing team will give 200% just because they face Barca. Everyone wants to perform well against us, they are motivated and this forces you to prepare and concentrate. There is no room for relaxation, you are the winner and you have to prove it in every game. It’s exciting.
What do you think about Messi?
Incredible. Messi is like a Playstation; he is the Playstation! I don’t know how he is able to do all this, it’s unique and marvelous. This is Leo Messi! And then you see Henry on the left, then Iniesta and Xavi and then you say to yourself: here play only the best.
Difficult to repeat the last season’s triplet?
Yes, it will be difficult; but with the mentality we have I think it is possible that we repeat it.
Ibra received a poster from MD from the Champions League final in Rome. The poster is enormous and he is eying it closely. He can recognize everyone, not only his teammates but also the technical staff.
I saw the final on vacations. I try not to think too much about football while on vacations. I would give anything to be one of those guys on the poster! It will be the same on the poster next year. I will be there after we will have won the Champions League at the Bernabeu (laughs). You will see it.
You don’t know what would mean to win the Champions League at the Bernabeu…
Yes, yes I know… I know the rivalry between the teams from the same country. That’s why I’m saying that I will be on the poster. This is our mentality and our strength. It would be beautiful to win at the Bernabeu…
And with Inter as the opponent…
They would be very strong… But Barca is the strongest! So the photo will not change: Barca celebrating the Champions League title, but this time with me.
How do you think will Eto’o do at Inter?
He’ll do very well, he is a great player, everyone knows it.
Nice interview. One things is for certain that he is in awe of the club, which is good for us Cules. All this talk about Ibra being narcissistic and lazy et al sounds lame after reading the article. He acknowledges that he is sharing the pitch with teammates who are superior or as good as him, which proves that he knows he has to give more than he has elsewhere. And he seems willing to do so. Cant wait to see him play and see what sort of camaraderie and chemistry he develops with other players.
very nice interview Zlatan >>> it well be more than great to win the CL at the Bernabeu.. “I will be there after we will have won the Champions League at the Bernabeu (laughs). You will see it.” that’s the Spirit.
ibra is a very gud playa of which evrybody knows… anybody sayin he is lazy shuold wait and see wht he will do for us come next season