Samuel Eto’o To Be Rewarded For His Attitude: A Perfect Example For ALL Of US!

About a week and a half ago I wrote an article about the possible destinations for Samuel Eto’o as he looked set to leave Barcelona. But there’s been a major change of intentions for the Spanish giants and they now appear eager to hold on to their Cameroonian striker.

Barcelona’s new coach, Pep Guardiola, had previously said Eto’o was not a part of his plans shortly after taking over from Frank Rijkaard at the helm of the Catalan club, but Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently admitted the club had changed their stance over their top goalscorer. Laporta asserted Eto’o’s positive attitude as the reason the club were looking to keep hold of the former African Footballer of the Year.

“Eto’o is showing total commitment and that part of his character is something we all like to see,” Laporta said.

“He has had a very positive attitude during the pre-season. At one time we did think the most convenient thing was to change things in order to renew the team, especially in terms of the most important players, but I understand that nothing in this world is set in stone.

“I don't think the issue with Samuel is irreversible or definitive and we need to look at things carefully. His recovery both in mental and physical terms will influence the club's final decision.”

If only all footballers could have an attitude like Samuel Eto’o. Put yourself in his shoes for just one second. Your club, the club where you’ve spent the last four years of your career at and scored 100 goals for, tells you that you are no longer a part of their plans.

What’s your reaction? You’ve just come back from an injury that has kept you out for a large portion of the season and you still managed to score 16 goals and finish as your team’s top goalscorer.  

Are you going to be happy? Probably not. Will there be some bitter feelings towards your club? Possibly.

But no, not Samuel Eto’o. After being told he wasn’t needed at Barcelona anymore, Eto’o did what was natural for any player in his position and began looking for a new club. After a month or so and still unable to find a new employer, Eto’o returned to Barcelona to join up with his teammates for pre-season.

This is the good part. Most players in Eto’o’s position would most certainly show up to pre-season with a lack of motivation and put forth a minimal amount of effort. After all, it’s highly unlikely the player won’t be there at the beginning of the season. He just needs more time to find a new club.

That could’ve been Eto’o’s attitude. Instead, Eto’o shows up to training and acts like nothing had ever happened. He virtually acted as if his club had told him at the end of last season that he was their most important player and they would be relying on his leadership next season.

But that’s not at all what happened. In fact, Barcelona basically told Eto’o the opposite. Yet somehow Eto’o showed up to pre-season training with a renewed desire to succeed at Barcelona and force a way into his coach’s plans. What a role model.

Look at Cristiano Ronaldo. His club gives him everything he needs and wants, and yet he still consistently expresses a desire to leave the club. There’s no hiding the Portuguese superstar earns a big salary at Old Trafford and after winning the Champions League and the English Premier League last season, Ronaldo should’ve been looking forward to coming back to Manchester, his home for the past five years.

Instead Ronaldo spent the majority of his summer being tight-lipped over his wish to move to Madrid, as he hopped from one party to the next on his broken foot. Maybe Ronaldo is a bad example but that’s not the point here.

Not only is Samuel Eto’o a role model for young kids, but he’s a role model for every other footballer in the world. A close friend of mine once told me that you may not be able to change your circumstances, but you can change your attitude. This is exactly what Eto’o did and look how it’s paying dividends for him.

Thanks Eto’o, for demonstrating an attitude that everybody should have, not just professional football players, but everyone.