Emmanuel Adebayor
In 2010, City Magazine had a Q&A feature where fans sent in questions, and the player in focus answered them. We’ve selected Emmanuel Adebayor for this month’s archive feature – let’s see what out former Togolese striker had to say some 15 years ago…
What is your favourite moment so far as a Manchester City Player?
Ben Oldham, 18, Macclesfield
“I’d have to say our 2-1 win over Chelsea last season. I was involved in that game and I think it made people sit up and notice a bit – plus I scored an own goal – but Carlos scored again, which made me very happy!”
If you had to choose three people from the team to be on a deserted island with, who would they be and why?
K.L, 19, Australia
“One would be Kolo Toure because he’s someone who never gives up and believes he can always make things happen. Shaun Wright-Phillips because he’d make me laugh and I know that I’d have a good time with him as company, and Shay Given because he’s a really nice guy and I’d never get bored of his stories – plus he could catch the coconuts as they landed!”
You have played for Arsenal for many years and how is your experience in City with compared to Arsenal?
Jess, Aberdeen
“Good and bad – last season wasn’t my best season and there was so much stuff happened. I was suspended, injured, away with Togo after which I needed some time away from the game – it was very stop-start. This season I’m hoping to be available all season and see what I can achieve for this club.”
You’ve captained Togo, would you one day like to captain City, too?
Janet Lala
“I am a footballer and captaining your team is a big responsibility and one that I’m used to after wearing the armband for Togo for the past three years. If I ever lead City, then great – if not, I will help the team by contributing on the pitch and scoring goals – anything I can do to help the club win trophies. I’m not here to be captain tomorrow, I’m here to score goals and help us win games.”
Can you describe how it felt when you scored your first goal as a professional?
David Flatbacke, Örebro, Sweden
“I can’t describe it! It’s like the world is in your hands. I remember it very clearly, too – it was for Metz against Monaco and we drew 2-2 – I scored the equalising goal. I was so delighted because I’d played a few games without scoring and the coach was asking me when was I finally going to get a goal? I’ve kept the newspaper clippings and it is still a beautiful moment in my life.”
Is the history and tradition of a club such as Manchester City important to the players and do they understand the significance and importance of playing for a club steeped in history, especially during its glory era in the late 60s/70s?
“I don’t think that’s really that important. The reason is, I believe if you play your game and be a little selfish by concentrating on what you can achieve for the club now. Yaya Toure, Carlos Tevez, Patrick Vieira, Kolo Toure – we all signed for this club to make our own history. It’s always good to come to a club and become a legend during your time there – that’s what we’re all striving to achieve – to leave a legacy. History is all about yesterday – what matters is the history you are going to create as a player. That’s the most important thing.”
Who does Manu want to emulate at City, a past legend/hero who brought great success to the club? Who when his time at City is up does Adebayor want to be compared to?
“Nobody – I’m not somebody who delves back into the history books to find out who did what and when. I want people to look at me for my own merits and for what I can and hopefully will achieve at the football club.”
Which one player would Manu like to play with before he retires?
Ben, 18, Manchester
“My hero, Kanu Nwankwo – I’ve always loved him and I had a chance to play alongside him during a charity game and for me, if I had the chance to play alongside him professionally, it would be one of the most beautiful days in my life – maybe it’s too late to happen now – but I’m just thankful to have him as a friend, a brother and a mentor.”
After such a bad trauma in your life can you reflect and take a positive from what happened show the footballing world why you are one of the top strikers within football and why you were voted African Footballer of the Year 2008?
Kevin Cooper – Denton, Manchester
“We all have difficult moments in our life when we lose people we love and when it happens, it’s the worst thing that’s ever happened to you because you have seen death. When you have time to reflect, you count your blessings and thank god for looking out for those we love. I used to laugh and smile before the events in Togo, but now I enjoy life even more and appreciate everything I have even more. Today I laugh more than before because I have the chance to be alive and to play football. I live for today now, not tomorrow and things I used to put off until later. I’ve realised that God has given me a chance to live, so yes, I have taken positives out of the tragedy.”
Who is the most famous footballer’s shirt you have got?
Maxim Bukatin, Saratov, Russia
“I’ve got a lot of shirts but I’d have to say Kanu’s shirt is the one I treasure the most. I love that shirt and it is framed on the wall in my sitting room in Africa – it’s the first thing you see when you come through the front door, in fact!”
If AC Milan is Beyoncé what is Manchester City?
Craig Moss, Offerton
“Kelly Rowland! She is a beautiful woman and together with Beyoncé, they are two of the most beautiful women in the world so I’d say Kelly for sure.”
How has becoming a father changed your life?
Anthony Jones, Monton
“It was very stressful and there is now a huge responsibility, but I’m very happy and delighted to have become a father for the first time. Since Kendera Kelly arrived, I have realised that I now have to think twice about everything I do – I have to think for myself and my baby – we just want to make her happy, smile and look after her. It’s not easy, but I’m loving it.”
Your name contains the world eBay. Were you aware of this? What price do you reckon you'd fetch in an online auction?
Michael Leversha, Acton, London
“I don’t even want to know the answer to that!”
What was it like to watch the World Cup being hosted in Africa and not be able to play and compete?
John Clifford, USA
“It was a historic moment for all Africans because we have been waiting for this for a long time. Yes, I am sorry for myself, but God put his hand on our country in 2004 and 2005 and we qualified for the World Cup in 2006. We are not a country who will qualify for every World Cup, but once in a while, it will happen and we accept that. I’m very happy that, if it’s just once in our lifetime that Africa has hosted the tournament – and South Africa in particular because we all know of its history and Nelson Mandela. We just have to thank Sepp Blatter and those who helped make it happen and especially to the man, the legend that is Nelson Mandela.”
What is the main reason that pushed you to decide not to play for Togo again?
Maxime Kouvahé, Gabon
“I’ve been playing for my country for nine years now and I’ve captained the team for the past three or four years, too. There are a lot of organisational problems and whenever we’ve tried to do things in recent times, it’s been taken in a negative way. Because I’ve tried to explain things about the national team and tried to help my country, I’ve become the main focus when any problems arise and people point to me as the cause. Things have obviously changed in the last year – I’ve got a daughter now and I have to put here first now – I’m not going to put myself in situations where I am risking my safety, especially after what happened in Angola. If the organisation improved and things became much better, I will definitely play for Togo again. It’s been one of the tougher decisions I’ve had to make in my life, but at the end of the day, I have to think of my family first. I can choose to die for my country, but not in a cheap way and at the moment, that’s the way things are and I’m not prepared to accept that.”
If you wrote an autobiography, what would you call it?
“The Crazy Life of Adebayor.”
Do you ever go to a drive thru McDonalds – if so, what’s your favourite food?
Tom, Birmingham
“I’ve never eaten at McDonalds.”
If you could have a house anywhere in the world other than Togo and England, where would it be?
Lawrence Prior, Norwich
“Definitely Miami Beach and I mean right on the beach!”
What’s your favourite thing about living in England?
Laurie Fisher, Manchester
“The people are nice and they love their football and are passionate about the game. No matter what happens, that’s what attracts a lot of foreign players to this country. People live, breathe and die for football in England.”
After being a pundit for the BBC during the World Cup, do you see a career in the media as a possibility after you’ve finished playing?
Michael King, Leicester
“That’s something I’ve not even thought about. Right now, I’m playing and still a footballer and that’s all I’m thinking about. I want to keep playing, keep scoring goal and hopefully helping to make history at this club and enjoying myself as much as possible and at the end of my career I will have a lot of time to think about what my next move is.”
Is there one movie you enjoy more than others?
Katy Winton, Gillingham
“It’s not a movie but a TV series – 24 – I love Jack Bauer! Kiefer Sutherland is brilliant and I’m waiting for season nine already. If anyone can sort me a walk-on part in 24, I’d be a happy man! Previously on 24...”
Ade, thanks a million...
“No problem – I enjoyed it and would like to thank everyone who sent their questions in to me.”
Interview: David Clayton