Cape Town - CNN’s Pedro Pinto caught up with Samuel Eto’o in Moscow to discuss his shock move to Anzhi Makhachkala and find out how it feels to become the highest-paid footballer in the world.
On suggestions he moved to Anzhi for the money:
I don't care what people think. I think all of us want to work and get paid what we are worth. Anzhi made an offer, which was at the same level as my talent, and they are paying me what they think I am worth. No one wants to work for little money; otherwise they would be living on the streets. What I would like to say is that I am lucky to have gone places where I can learn new things in life and that is the case here. This experience will add something to my life and that makes me a better person.
On the shock of moving from Inter Milan to Anzhi:
To be honest a year ago I had no idea I would be here. The opportunity hadn't arisen. But when the offer came in, I thought about it and realized that it was the best one for myself, my career and my family so I went for it.
On the influence of Anzhi’s billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov:
He (Kerimov) told me he wanted to build a big team and he had thought about me as someone who could lead that project. It touched me in my heart because I had only seen myself as a professional player, not a project leader, and this new challenge was important to me. I was offered a great deal and we reached an arrangement quite quickly.
On the prospect of other major signings in the future:
I am happy that more players are thinking about coming. Many of them are important players and they have been linked with clubs here. That is a big victory for Anzhi and the club is giving an opportunity for Russian football to attract stars. I have to tell you that practically every day I get a message or a phone call from a high profile player who wonders whether there are opportunities to come here because the truth is the future of football is in Russia. Furthermore, I believe that leading up to the World Cup here in 2018, the quality of the league will be better.
On his relationship with Jose Mourinho who he worked with at Inter Milan.
Jose Mourinho is one of the best managers with whom I have worked. I had a chance not only to have him as a coach but as a colleague, a friend, a big brother. I had a chance to learn from him and he was open to receiving advice from me as well even though I think he knew it all.
With thanks to CNN/CNN WORLD SPORT
On suggestions he moved to Anzhi for the money:
I don't care what people think. I think all of us want to work and get paid what we are worth. Anzhi made an offer, which was at the same level as my talent, and they are paying me what they think I am worth. No one wants to work for little money; otherwise they would be living on the streets. What I would like to say is that I am lucky to have gone places where I can learn new things in life and that is the case here. This experience will add something to my life and that makes me a better person.
On the shock of moving from Inter Milan to Anzhi:
To be honest a year ago I had no idea I would be here. The opportunity hadn't arisen. But when the offer came in, I thought about it and realized that it was the best one for myself, my career and my family so I went for it.
On the influence of Anzhi’s billionaire owner Suleiman Kerimov:
He (Kerimov) told me he wanted to build a big team and he had thought about me as someone who could lead that project. It touched me in my heart because I had only seen myself as a professional player, not a project leader, and this new challenge was important to me. I was offered a great deal and we reached an arrangement quite quickly.
On the prospect of other major signings in the future:
I am happy that more players are thinking about coming. Many of them are important players and they have been linked with clubs here. That is a big victory for Anzhi and the club is giving an opportunity for Russian football to attract stars. I have to tell you that practically every day I get a message or a phone call from a high profile player who wonders whether there are opportunities to come here because the truth is the future of football is in Russia. Furthermore, I believe that leading up to the World Cup here in 2018, the quality of the league will be better.
On his relationship with Jose Mourinho who he worked with at Inter Milan.
Jose Mourinho is one of the best managers with whom I have worked. I had a chance not only to have him as a coach but as a colleague, a friend, a big brother. I had a chance to learn from him and he was open to receiving advice from me as well even though I think he knew it all.
With thanks to CNN/CNN WORLD SPORT