TOGO: Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor organises exhibition matches for youth in Togo, talks about his future

Record ID: 455877

  • Title: TOGO: Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor organises exhibition matches for youth in Togo, talks about his future
  • Date: 26th July 2008
  • Summary: MORE OF SPECTATORS MORE OF SOCCER MATCH MORE OF SPECTATORS
  • Embargoed: 10th August 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Togo
  • Country: Togo
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA2A6C47JYHZ16XFFESZJS21CRN
  • Story Text: Togolese football superstar and Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor speaks to Reuters about his plans for the future during a series of exhibition matches that he organised for young players back home in Togo.
    Arsenal striker Emmanuel Adebayor was in his home country of Togo recently for a brief visit. During his stay, he talked to Reuters about his future and the experience of playing for a successful side like Arsenal.

    "I play in a good club. I play top-level football in the Champions League every year. I've been playing in the Champions League for the last five or six years, I am very happy and very proud," said Adebayor.
    However the Togolese striker made it clear recently that he would consider offers from other clubs after Arsenal's refusal to increase his salary which is estimated at about 35,000 British pounds per week. Adebayor scored 30 goals for Arsenal last season, making him one of Europe's hottest strikers.
    Recent reports say the 24-year-old player is contemplating a move to either AC Milan or Barcelona. But Adebayor says his really focus now is on building a distinguished career.

    "I still have dreams, you know. It's true that I have had an exemplary career so far. Unfortunately, I haven't won anything for now. I won the championship for under-17s, but on a professional level I haven't won anything. I moved to League 1 when I was with FC Metz. But it's also true that now I would like to win trophies and medals. I've won a lot of things individually, but now I'd like to know how it feels to win collectively,"
    he said.
    During his visit, the football star organised a series of youth football matches in several cities around the country.

    "I have become more or less an idol for many players, for young Togolese and Africans. I am very pleased and very proud for that. Now, it's up to me to keep a level head and my feet on the ground, and continue working hard and moving forward," added Adebayor after playing with local youth in Aného, located 50 kilometres east of Lome.
    His possible departure from Arsenal is also a hot topic amongst his fans.

    "Adebayor is good. If you are good, automatically big clubs come after you to play for them. I don't see anything wrong if Adebayor wants to leave Arsenal for Real Madrid, AC Milan or Barca," said Rope, a Togolese rapper and football fan.

    "No, I do not want Adebayor to leave Arsenal. My wish is for him to stay at Arsenal and at least play for one more season," countered Kiki Chardey, another Adebayor fan.
    As speculation continues to swirl around his future at Arsenal, once thing is clear, Adebayor is determined to continue dazzling fans and defenders alike with his skills on the football pitch, no matter who he will be playing for.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: Footage contains identifiable children: users must ensure that they comply with local laws and regulations governing the publishing of this material.
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