Manolito Adebayor at AS

March 11, 2011

tags: adebayor, özil, benzema, lass, mourinho, raúl, xabi, zidane

by unamadridista

The Santiago Bernabéu is already chanting his name, and if Manolito Adebayor hasn’t won you over yet, this interview might help. In it, we find out that he cut off his dreadlocks because Real Madrid is a serious institution, that he considers Fernando Morientes an older brother, and that Mesut Özil reminds him of the importance of being on time. I love Manu’s mature, team-oriented and unselfish attitude (as well as his admiration for Raúl), which really comes out in his words (and hopefully in my translation too!).

Let’s see if we can help him with his dream of winning a title so he’ll have something to fill his little hands with.

Note: scroll down all the way for a “muy original” picture at the end.

Are you happy?

I was born happy. No one could be happier than I am now. Here, I’ve fulfilled a dream and I feel useful once again.

Why did you change your look?

I had dreadlocks for three years, and when I got the opportunity to play in Madrid, I knew that I would have to cut them off. I didn’t see myself triumphing here with them. This hairstyle is more adequate for an institution like Madrid. I’m doing everything possible to integrate. Here, it’s also warmer than it was in England.

How are you feeling?

There’s a great atmosphere. Everyone has treated me very well. I ask myself, “how can I return this wonderful treatment?” Well, by training as hard as I can and giving it everything I’ve got. Only in that way will I be able to properly express my gratitude.

What was your childhood like?

It wasn’t easy. I wasn’t born with a silver spoon (fun fact – in Spanish, it’s diamond spoon) in my mouth. It was very difficult. We all know how poor Africa is. I’m from Togo, one of the poorest countries on the continent. I took a risk going to France at the age of 15 and everything turned out like a fairy tale. I give thanks to God, because He’s always been by my side. Each time I go through a difficult moment, He helps me. My childhood wasn’t the worst, but it wasn’t easy either. Now I am a professional footballer and I play for the biggest team in the world.

What did your parents to?

My parents were Nigerians who emigrated to Togo. That’s my country. My father was a bank manager, and my mother had her own small business selling things. In 2005, my father passed away. It’s a typical African history. I don’t regret anything in my past and I’m proud to be African.

[A couple of questions about how he went to France, then the move to Monaco, where he was a teammate of Fernando Morientes.]

How did Morientes treat you?

I have a good feeling with him. He was my professor. He told me that he understood what I was going through, because the same thing had happened to him. He told me to never give up, to keep moving forward and that I had everything I needed to triumph. After we made it into the final of the Champions, the prince of Monaco invited us to his house to congratulate us. That day, Morientes took me aside and told me that I was fantastic, that I was going to get far and I would play in a bigger club. I felt that his words had come from the heart and I adopted him as an older brother.

Morientes talked about how you asked him about Madrid.

Of course! The first thing I asked him was if he could get me Raúl’s shirt! (Laughs). For me, it was a dream to be with someone who knew what it was like to play with Madrid. I think I overwhelmed him with questions. I asked him what it was like to win the Champions; what it was like to play in Madrid; what Zidane and Figo were like… I asked him to invite Raúl to one of our games and he did. One day, I ran into Raúl in our locker room. I couldn’t believe it! From that day, I began to fall in love with Madrid. I had a lot of affection for Morientes. He was very modest, he cleaned his own boots and shirts. He became my idol, an example to follow.

Which Real Madrid player did you like the most?

Zidane made me dream. After him, Raúl of course. He always scored goals and did his part. And not only during one or two years, but for more than 10. And he continues to do so. I’m sure we’ll see each other soon. I would like to talk with him.

Have you spoken with Zidane?

We share the same boot brand and I’ve met him. He knows how much I admire him.

With Monaco, you lost in the final of the Champions to Mourinho’s Oporto.

The world found out who Mourinho was from that final. It was a golden opportunity that we let slip by. Mou came out with a different system, surprising us. It was very hard to accept.

And now Mourinho can make you win.

I hope so. That’s why I came here. I’ve made a name for myself and I’ve played on the top level for many years, but my hands are empty. For me, the most important thing is winning titles. When I went to Arsenal, I never imagined that I wouldn’t win anything. Here, I have to do everything possible for that to happen. We have a lot of possibilities in the Copa del Rey. We also have possibilities in the Champions, but that’s further away. In the Liga, there’s a seven-point difference and it’s not easy, but it’s not over yet. Imagine if Barça fails against Sevilla and we win everything including el clásico. We could make up six points.

[Talk about his time at Arsenal.]

Tell me about the tragedy you lived through with the national team.

It was the worst moment of my life. It’s something that made me grow up. Now I know that in the blink of an eye, you can lose your life. For me, the most important thing is to enjoy life. I was born happy and now I’m even more so. I could be dead and instead I’m alive and playing in Madrid. What else could I ask for? Nothing.

Do you speak with Kodjovi Obilale, the goalkeeper who’s now in a wheelchair?

In Africa, we call our friends “brothers.” He was my brother before that, but all of us who were on that bus have gotten even closer since the tragedy. Obilale and I speak every day and anything he needs from me, he has. What happened to him could have happened to me. He was only two rows ahead of me and now he can’t even walk.

You no longer play with your national team. Will you return one day?

At the moment, my decision has not changed. It’s difficult to understand how it’s possible that my Federation doesn’t help Obilale after he received three bullets while representing his country.

That was your worst moment. Was the best when Madrid called you in January?

Yes, but it was also very stressful. When they told me that City and Madrid had agreed on terms and that I had to travel to Madrid, I couldn’t eat for 48 hours due to stress. I wasn’t even playing with City and Madrid signed me. I thought it was a joke until I arrived at Valdebebas and I met Mourinho and Zidane. That’s when it hit me and I started believing.

What did Mourinho tell you?

To do the best I could, to enjoy playing, to play as I know how and to make an effort. I’m no longer a 16-year-old boy who needs instructions. I know how to be a professional.

Who has helped you the most?

Lass. I helped him when he came to Arsenal. I showed him where the clothes were kept and the rules of the club. He’s returned the favor by doing the same for me here. And Benzema as well, because he’s a great guy and we share a past in France. Ramos, Cristiano… everyone. Özil reminded me of how important punctuality is [jajaja!!!] and we work out together in the gym.

Benzema has scored a lot of goals since you arrived.

When I arrived, I said I was here to help Benzema, not hurt him. As long as I can stay here, I don’t mind if Karim scores 100 goals and I don’t score any. We’re here to win titles. I want the Champions, I want to win and individual things don’t matter to me. Give me a contract saying that we’ll win La Décima 2-0 with two goals from Benzema and I’ll sign it.

Have you given him advice?

I told him that in football, one day you can be the hero and the next day the most criticized one, so enjoy football. He’s working very hard and we all have a lot of faith in him. He arrives early for the training sessions to work out in the gym.

Who do you connect the best with on the field?

I don’t have any preferences. I have good discussions with Xabi because he speaks English well. I feel comfortable with Lass and also with Özil, Di María and Benzema.

Does Özil remind you of Zidane?

They have similarities. He’s a great player. He has a unique way of looking at the game. He has two eyes on his face and two more on the back of his head.

Have you realized that you’ve already won over the Bernabéu?

I realized it, I hear the stadium chant my name. It’s important to feel loved.

Do you like being called Manolito? [Hmmm, no questions about Adenabor?]

I’m an African man, I don’t care what I’m called. I know that Manolito is said with affection and shows friendship, so I like that. In France, I was called Nwanko Kanu.

Do you think you’ll still be here past June?

I hope so. I will do everything possible to stay here the maximum amount of time possible.

Adebayor: I want to stay at Real

Real Madrid striker Emmanuel Adebayor has stated that he will do everything he can to make his loan spell permanent.

He is with the Spanish giants until the end of the season on loan from Manchester City, but has had a mixed start to life at the Bernabeu having scored two goals in seven games.

Despite becoming a key figure with Arsenal prior to his move to Eastlands, Adebayor slowly cut a more frustrated figure during his time in England, and moved away after five years in the country.

Adebayor is proud to be at Madrid and is happy to be feeling the love from the supporters.

"I can tell. I hear my name chanted around the stadium. It's important to feel loved. I will do everything possible to stay here as long as possible," he told Spanish daily AS.

"I came here to do something. I have made something of myself in football and spent years playing at the highest level, but I'm still empty-handed.

"For me, the most important thing is to win trophies. When I joined Arsenal, I never imagined that I wouldn't win anything. Here I have to do everything I can to make it happen."

The 27-year-old is so eager to impress he has even gone to the lengths of cutting his hair to fit in with the club's values.

"I had dreadlocks for three years but, when the opportunity to play for Madrid arose, I knew I'd have them cut off," he added.

"This haircut is more appropriate for an institution like Madrid. I'm doing everything possible to integrate."

Adebayor left Arsenal under a dark cloud despite becoming one of Arsene Wenger's key men during his time there, after admitting that he would welcome a move to AC Milan and falling out with the club's supporters.

Although the player moved to City to the despair of the Gunners, Adebayor admitted that if he could have, he would have stayed at the Emirates for the rest of his career.

"It was another level there. Bergkamp, Henry and Van Persie were there - it made me improve as a footballer. I became a key figure in attack and it shows that I was a success," he continued.

"(Arsene Wenger taught me) to arrive on time at training, to be professional, how to mentally recover, to act professionally with the other players in the dressing room."

Asked if he felt angry about his exit from the North London club, he replied: "To be honest, yes. I left frustrated. I loved the club. When I was young, one of my dreams was to play for Arsenal because my idol, Kanu, played there. I thought I would stay there for the rest of my career.

"[Manchester City] was a difficult experience. Mancini has a way of approaching the game. It's life - you have to accept it. I don't feel any resentment."

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Adebayor to lead Real title charge

Real Madrid striker Emmanuel Adebayor is ready to re-ignite Real Madrid's La Liga challenge at the weekend.

Real travel to Sporting Gijon on Saturday hit by news that in-form France striker Karim Benzema could be unavailable for selection because of an injury.

Jose Mourinho's men are about to enter a pivotal weekend in La Liga with leaders Barcelona facing a tricky test away at Villarreal on the same day they play Gijon. Real are currently five points behind the Catalans with nine games to go and need Pep Guardiola's side to drop points if they are to wrestle the crown away from Barca.

"We have nine games to go, we have to win all those games to start dreaming of the title," Adebayor told Real Madrid Television on Thursday.

Benzema's strike partner Gonzalo Higuain has only just resumed training following a lengthy time on the sidelines which paves the way for Adebayor, who is on-loan from Manchester City, to stake his claim for a permanent deal next season.

Mourinho will also be without Brazil full-back Marcelo who, like Benzema, returned from international duty with an injury while midfielder Xabi Alonso is suspended for the Gijon match.

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

wow, thanks

Uploaded with ImageShack.us

Adebayor still dreams of European glory

Emmanuel Adebayor is hoping it will be third time lucky as he goes in search of Champions League glory with Real Madrid.

Adebayor, who is on loan at Madrid from Manchester City until the end of the season, has twice suffered disappointment in Champions League finals and he is determined to get his hands on the trophy this time around.

In 2004, the Togo international was a non-playing substitute as Monaco were defeated 3-0 by Porto - coached by his current boss at Madrid Jose Mourinho - and then in 2006 he was at Arsenal when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona in the final, although he did not feature in Paris as he was cup-tied.

Speaking ahead of Tuesday's quarter-final first leg against Tottenham at the Bernabeu, Adebayor told www.bwin.com: "You can't imagine what a big dream that is for me (winning the trophy).

"This year I have the chance to bounce back again and for me I have to do everything it takes to get to the final and to win it because the third one has to be the right one and I hope this year will be the right one for me.

"Especially going back to Wembley, near where I lived. I will be more than happy to go out at Wembley and have the Champions League cup in my hands. I think that would be the best gift ever in my life."

The first obstacle standing in Adebayor's way is on old foe in the form of Tottenham, who the 27-year-old faced with considerable personal success while at their bitter rivals Arsenal, scoring eight times in nine derbies.

Adebayor is now hoping to add to that tally on Tuesday, saying: "I was able to have a good record against Tottenham when I was playing for Arsenal.

"Tottenham are a fantastic club, I respect them a lot. When I was playing for Arsenal there was a big rivalry between the clubs, it's a big derby, and I always had the chance to score against them and hopefully I will have a chance to score against them again on Tuesday, but what matters for me is that Madrid go through.

"I hope I can contribute to that."

Adebayor is not expecting it to be easy against Harry Redknapp's men, however, and warned his team-mates they will be pushed all the way no matter how comfortable the scoreline may appear.

Picking out the likes of Peter Crouch, Gareth Bale and Jermain Defoe for praise, he said: "They have a lot of good players. They are a team that play together, they attack together, they defend together. It doesn't matter if you're winning 2-0 or 3-0, they will never give up, and I think we have to know that.

"They will play to the last whistle. That's not only Tottenham, that's more the mentality of English football, that you can never give up no matter what the score is, you just have to keep playing until the end of the game."

him goals vs tottenham