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ETO'O: "INTER? I AM HAVING FUN AT ANZHI."

The Cameroonian closes the doors to Moratti.  "It was a splendid moment in my life."

And remains faithful to the Russians: "In Moscow, the quality of life is high just like in Milan.  And the football has made great strides."

THE CAMEROONIAN CHAMPION DISCUSSES THAT MORATTI WANTS HIM ON LOAN IN JANUARY.

"Inter was a splendid stage in my career."

"Russian football is making great strides and the quality of life in Moscow is as high as one in Milan."

Russia didn't freeze his sense of humor.  Samuel Eto'o ran into Asamoah Gyan, the Ghanian striker and former Udinese player, now playing for Al-Ain.  He missed a penalty during the semifinals of the World Cup in South Africa, at the 120th minute against Uruguay, destroying the dream of a first African team to reach the final of the World Cup.  Eto'o says: "Did you learn how to shoot yet?" to which Gyan replies: "Have you retired already?"  Eto'o smiles yet once again.  Still doing the same rituals: salutes, shaking thousands of hands and runs and runs on the day when Puma presents the new shirts of Cameroon, South Africa and eight other national teams on the continent.  Five of these will be worn in the upcoming African Cup of Nations in Gabon and Equatorial Guinea in January.

Samuel, the return on loan at Inter is just a suggestion of the transfer market or is there any real possibility?

"I will answer like I did before: I am having fun at Anzhi Makhachkala.  I am living a much more fascinating life than you might believe.  I am exploring a new frontier."

What is life like in Russia?

"Russia is neither Italy, nor Spain.  It is a country that, for example, is not facing economy crisis like the one currently in Europe.  It offers a player of my level a great level of comfort.  I cannot complain.  And then I spend five days of a week in Moscow, a great capital, where you can have fun and be happy just like in Barcelona or Milan.  The quality of life is very high."

Although the salary that you are making is a good way to console.  A gross salary of between 20-25 million a season makes it livable in most desolate lands on earth.

"In all the interviews that I have done, I am always reminded of how much I am making but I always said to the reporters that I did not go here for the money.  At Inter, I also made good money and certainly could not complain about the salaries at Barcelona.  This new phase of my career is definitely a great business but it is also a thrilling challenge.  I like the idea of being one of the men that can make this important project take off."

What is the challenge of Anzhi Makhachkala?

"Try to participate in European Cups.  It would be the first for most of us.  Fans, especially kids, they stop me on the street and say: 'Samuel, help us to play in Europe.'  The children are the same in all places in the world and the Russians in some way remind me, in terms of enthusiasm, of those in Africa."

From the tactical point of view, however, is different.

"There are teams like Zenit St. Petersburg of Luciano Spalletti and CSKA Moscow who practice modern football. There are teams to look out for.  Russia is making great strides.  Hosting World Cup 2018 is a powerful stimulus as well.  From the infrastructure point of view, things are gearing up.  They have the resources to host an event as big as a World Cup or the Winter Olympics in 2014.  And you will also see a leap in quality even in football.  From the physical point of view there is little to teach to the Russians.  The problems are seasonality, the fixture list is on the daylight saving time, which as a matter of fact has been reformed: because when the UEFA competitions enter their crucial phase, here the league is about to end or the new one is about to start.  On equal conditions, I think Russian clubs could have more important results."

What remains of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa?

"Organizing such an important tournament is hard.  In Africa we have always had an inferiority complex towards others because we feel poor and incapable.  South Africa has shown that our continent can do the job well.  Too bad that Ghana failed to reach the semifinals.  It would have been the success of an entire continent, not only of a country.  All Africans were cheering for Ghana."

Eto'o, you are the symbol of Africa.  How proud are you of this connection?
"I am glad because of where I started and I have come a long way to I am today.  Football has given me a chance and I try to take advantage of it not only for my career or my bank account, but also to contribute to my country.  In Cameroon, my football academies are an important reality that gives hope and dream to hundreds of kids."

From Cameroon to Dagestan: what is your next step?

"I don't know.  Now I am living this experience.  There will come a day when I will close the curtains but for now I still want to have fun.  When you are on the field, you don't think about money or other things.  There is always an opponent to dribble the pass against and put in a goal.  A goal is good at all latitudes."

Nostalgia for Inter?
"It was a splendid moment in my life and I have many friends in Milan where I can return to my home whenever I can just like last Sunday.  Inter will remain in my heart and there is no doubt about it."

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport