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Samuel Eto'o Would Only Play As A Left Winger For Jose Mourinho

Samuel Eto'o Would Only Play As A Left Winger For Jose Mourinho

He and Mourinho had a special relationship...

Josh Lawless

Josh Lawless

Samuel Eto'o has played as a central striker with a whole lot of success in his career at the top level, but played as a left-winger for Jose Mourinho's treble-winning Inter Milan side.

However according to Wesley Sneijder, the Cameroonian would only play that role for Mourinho and told Inter's next manager, Rafa Benitez, exactly where to go.

Sneijder, who will play in his final game for the Netherlands national team against Peru tonight, shared the anecdote in an interview with Voetbal International:

Having won a trio of trophies a year earlier with Pep Guardiola's Barcelona, Eto'o followed up with a treble with Mourinho and is the only player in football to win the consecutive trebles with different teams.

He actually had a better goalscoring tally at Inter when Mourinho left for Real Madrid; Eto'o netted 37 goals in 2010/11, compared to 16 the season prior.

Image: PA
Image: PA

Nevertheless, he was integral to that historic season and allowed Diego Milito to be the focal point of the attack - something he did with distinction considering he bagged two goals in the 2-0 triumph over Bayern in the final.

And incredibly, Mourinho allowed Eto'o a greater influence in the team talk prior to the game, as he revealed last year.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"Mourinho did something that few others would," he revealed to Sky Italia, via Goal.

"He gave his team talk ahead of the game, then said: 'Now Samuel will tell us how we're going to win'. I have to thank him for that.

"I said that I had played many finals but that this was the most special. We had to do something for the people, for the Inter population who deserved it.

"I said: 'Either we win the Champions League, or we die trying. We've got to die on that pitch to bring home the cup or we'll die because we won't return to Milan with the cup'. Fortunately, it all went well.

"I turned around after my speech and Julio Cesar was crying."

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Topics: Football News, Jose Mourinho, Football, Rafa Benitez, Samuel Eto'o, Inter Milan