“If unfortunately I got injured one day with my national team, I don’t think my country nor my country’s football association would be able to pay for that sort of compensation. You have to consider that too, because some football associations are quite poor and won’t be able to pay for compensations.

“Frankly, I think it’s a bit too much that a national team should have to pay a club to be able to play somebody who’s got his flag’s colours in his blood, isn’t it? I think it’s too much.

“You should not pay for the feeling of defending your country’s flag. I think that’s precisely what makes football more beautiful: that a player knows, when he’s listening to his national anthem, that he’s representing millions and millions of people and he’s like a solider going to war. That feeling, to my mind, should not be paid for.”

“When a player is considered to be an international, his value in the market is very important,” added Eto’o. “I do not think that either a club or the national team should have greater privilege than the other in this issue. In football we do not last very long, which is why we have to give it all in order to enjoy every single moment. Every time I play with my club or national team I try to give my best effort.”

Benitez watched too much of Leto and Aurelio and thought they were good but he forgot they did not practice with the Heavies, the rest is history as u know. A team with cisse won at anfield and Tottenham looked like Mourinho’s Chelsea.