Javier Saviola had his 25th birthday on Monday while in Japan for the FIFA Club World Cup. Saviola was born on December 11, 1981 in Buenos Aires and Saviola: with the age of 25 years, one of his dreams is coming true, an appearance at the FIFA Club World Cup, a tournament that is taken especially seriously by South Americans.
Saviola spoke to Barça TV and feels that Barca is favourites to win the title.


Barca TV: Have your team mates wished you happy birthday?


Saviola: As always, some people don't know about it, but then someone comes along to wish me well, and they start finding out. But tonight when we go for supper they will all know and will come and say happy birthday.


Barca TV: Have you had any presents?


Saviola: Not yet, I'm still waiting, but I don't mind if I don't get anything. It's more important just to be here with everybody.


Barca TV: And that is the best gift of all?


Saviola: You always want to spend your birthday with your family and friends, but there is something at stake here and knowing how things are going for us, I'd say it is great gift. We have to play a good World Cup and Barça will always be going for the top.


Barca TV: How is the injury?


Saviola: I am improving a lot. I will be training with the group while we are here and trying to get fully fit. I feel fine, I feel comfortable, and am waiting to see how things develop.


Barca TV: It is pleasing to see that the team is winning despite the injuries, isn't it?


Saviola: When the injuries started coming people speculated about signing new players, whether the team was going to miss the injured players We have always said that in a squad where there is so much individual quality it is very difficult to make it better. The important thing is that the boss has substitutes and that can and is helping the team.


Barca TV: What does the Club World Cup mean to an Argentinian?


Saviola: It means a lot. The whole world is watching. And with Barça in it, the people will be watching more than ever. But we are just as excited and focused on winning. For the club and for us as individuals it is something very important.


Barca TV: Can you compare this to the League or the Champions league?


Saviola: No. They are two very different things. We know how important they are, but the others are much longer competitions, they take more effort. Here it is two games. It is important to win, but the other two are more important.


Barca TV: Are Barça favourites to win the World Clubs Cup?


Saviola: Yes, Because of the club and the institution, Barça will always be favourites. But we should not underestimate anybody. Any of them can put pressure on us. We need to go into it with the right mentality and with all of our lights switched on.


Barca TV: Effects of "Jet Lag"?



Saviola: We are all a bit dizzy, and that lasts two or three days. That's just the way it goes and we just have to get focused.

In an exclusive interview with Barça TV, coach Frank Rijkaard, expressed his delight about the new signings of french veteran Lilian Thuram and Italy´s world champion Gianluca Zambrotta. He thinks they are the ideal reinforcements for his team that is aiming to win six titles this season.


Barça TV: What do you make of the new signings?


Frank Rijkaard: "In theory, we were quite happy with the side as it was, but we could not ignore the opportunities that came up. Frank Rijkaard: Barça have signed two players who will have something to contribute and that's good because the season is long, there are lots of games and with these two players we now have enough for our new adventure".


Barça TV: What stands out about Zambrotta and Thuram?


Frank Rijkaard: "Zambrotta is a great player. He has played at the highest level for many years. He can play on either side, works hard and will have a lot to offer. There is not much to say about Thuram, as a player he has won everything and that's important for a team like ours that plays at a high level with people who know exactly what they want the squad to do out on the pitch to guarantee those successes".


Barça TV: What do you have to say to the people who claim Thuram is too old?


Frank Rijkaard: "That is only to be expected, but that's not the case for me. Sports stars look after themselves and do all they can to stay at peak fitness. People like that are very important to have in the dressing room and out there on the pitch. And Thuram is a person like that".


Barça TV: After adding these two players, does Barca have the best team in the world?


Frank Rijkaard: "I like to go carefully. Yes, we are very happy with the squad we have, but we have not started yet and there are some tough games ahead. That's what's nice about football. Everybody is ready to achieve big things, us included. We have respect for the other teams, but we need to focus on ourselves and we are very confident".


Barça TV: If you won the Liga and Champions League with last year's squad, surely after adding Gudjohnsen, Thuram and Zambrotta the fans should be hoping for even more?


Frank Rijkaard: "In theory, yes. But I have always looked at things with common sense. I find it an honour to work for Barça and when a team like ours goes onto the pitch, they always have to project a good image to the fans. And we want to carry on in the same vein, making sure the fans are happy and working as hard as we can".


Barça TV: Is the squad now complete for the season?


Frank Rijkaard: "A big club should never close the doors to new opportunities. Like here, we took advantage of a situation that arose. The team looks good right now, but you never know".


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