World NewsBarca Deny Eto'o Move To Uzbekistan |
Samuel Eto'o could become the third Barcelona player called up by his country to play in next month's Olympics.
Barcelona have already seen Argentina playmaker Leo Messi called up by his country and are in a battle with Brazil star Ronaldinho to prevent him from attending, although the latter could leave the club before the tournament starts as Barca are considering offers for him.Eto'o, the Cameroon striker, hinted he could also be in Beijing next month when speaking to the New York Times while en route to a youth tournament in Blaine, Minnesota.
"I think I am going to be called, but because I'm here, I don't have all the information," the 27-year-old told the Times through a translator.
"Whether I want to or can go or not is not yet certain. It is always an honour to defend the jersey of your country in a tournament like the Olympics. It's not something for every day. And you know I have won there, against Ronaldinho."
Eto'o won Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000, and their run to the final included victory over Brazil in the last eight.
"I can approach it in a different way because I have been there and I have won it," Eto'o added. "But I have to wait until I go back for training to see if the team will allow me, will support me."
Barca would not be obligated to release Eto'o for the games as he is over the age of 23.
However, as with Ronaldinho, it may end up that it is not Barca's decision, as Eto'o also appears to be on his way out of the Nou Camp.
He has been linked with moves to England and Italy and, more bizarrely, Uzbekistan after Kuruvchi claimed on their website on Monday to have signed Eto'o on loan, only for Barca to deny the story.
Eto'o said he has no idea what the future will hold.
"I'm on vacation, I don't think about those things now," he said, adding that he was due back in Barcelona on Saturday.
"I don't even look at the Internet until I go back to work.
"The new trainer (Pep Guardiola) has the right to make the team he wants, you have to respect that, and that's it. I am in no situation to say anything because I am on vacation, and here in the US, I'm disconnected from the whole soccer world."
Copyright (c) 2008 Press Association
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