“I still have his voicemail” - Real Madrid star Tchouameni says Barcelona legend was first to support him after missed penalty in WC final
Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has said that Barcelona legend Samuel Eto'o was one of the first to comfort him after his penalty miss for France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final against Argentina. Les Bleus lost 4-2 on penalties following a 3-3 draw after extra time.
Tchouameni, who has 36 appearances for his national team, scoring three times, found comfort in the words Eto'o sent him after he missed the third penalty in the shootout.
Ahead of Les Bleus' UEFA Nations League clash with Italy in Paris on Thursday, the Real Madrid star said (as per Madrid Xtra):
“When I missed the penalty in 2022, Samuel Eto’o was the first to support me. I still have his voicemail he left for me.”
The Barcelona legend's comments are not entirely surprising, with Tchouameni being of Cameroonian heritage. Eto'o scored 130 times and provided 40 assists in 199 games between 2004 and 2009 for the Blaugrana.
Barcelona's Raphinha hails Real Madrid forward Vinicius
Barcelona star Raphinha spoke highly of Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. The pair are international teammates with South American giants Brazil. Speaking about his international colleague in an interview with RAC1, Raphinha said (via GOAL):
"The Vinicius of the matches is completely different from the Vinicius in person. When you get hold of him outside of football, you realise that they are completely different people. I've already seen many players who off the pitch are one way and on the pitch are another.
"This is normal in football, there are many players like that. I try to explain to everyone that Vinicius is not a bad person – he is a spectacular person, a very good person. He's younger than me, but when I got to the national team he was already there and he helped me a lot."
The Barcelona attacker shed light on his relationship with Vinicius:
"We get along very well, and I also often talk to him and tell him that it is not necessary to do the things he does on the pitch, but I understand it. Each person is different. He is like that, and I think it gives him confidence on the field to do that. For example, Gavi on the pitch, in my opinion, is crazy, he's very annoying. But, off the field, he is an incredible person, loving, caring … Vinicius is the same."
"However, it's hard to convince people that he's like that when they see him in a certain way on the pitch. Only if you live moments with him will you see that I am right. He is affectionate. He is a person who is always joking, who is always smiling. It's difficult to see Vinicius serious, he's always joking."
Both players should feature for Brazil against Ecuador in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on Friday.