Saviola speaks from Madrid about his former club, FC Barcelona and the colourful Barca fans.


Javier Saviola has left FC Barcelona, but the many references are still made to his days at Barca and the conditions under which he left Camp Nou whenever he is interviewed. This came up again quite recently when, during an interview session, the gifted Argentine was asked seris of questions which included how he felt leaving Barca and if he is guilty of betraying the trust and love of Barca fans. Saviola also responded to the probability of him scoring against Barca and how he would celebrate if he did so. Saviola responded:

I left for Real Madrid, that's true, but I never thought of this as a betrayal to Barcelona. I saw this as a chance to make progress and to showcase my football.I don't expect Barça fans to applaud me or to boo me when I come to Camp Nou this season with Madrid. I'm still in touch with some of my former teammates and there are no problems. If I would score against Barca, I would celebrate, but I would do it with all due respect to a great club like Barcelona. I was there for six years and I have many good friends in Barcelona. I am now a Real Madrid player and I am going to do my best for this team. The situation is different from for example, how Lius Figo left and how Barca fans reacted to that. I left knowing there was no place for me on the team. I needed a way out. I was rather forced out, and not the one who forced my way out. Real Madrid approached me and people understood I couldn't refuse to join a club like them, under the condition of things in Barca.

Speaking on the move he made to Madrid, Saviola says:

I was surprised when Real Madrid got in touch with me. This sensation soon changed to gratitude because they are a great club. There is a lot of competition on the squad, but with all due respect to my teammates, I feel I have as many chances as them to earn a spot on the team. The season will be very long and all of us will play.