Barcelona won their second Champions League title in 2006, with a 2-1 victory over ten-man Arsenal. Goals from Samuel Eto’o and Juliano Belletti secured the title for the Catalans, who have since added further victories in 2009, 2011 and 2015.
Despite the numerical advantage, things looked bleak for Barcelona during parts of the second half. However, Eto’o’s goal brought the club back into level terms, and the Cameroonian forward felt he deserved most of the credit for the success, as he told ‘The Bridge’ podcast (via Sport).
Eto’o still a savior
“In 2006, at half-time in the Champions League final at the Stade de France, we were 1-0 down. Do you know why we were losing? Because Ronaldinho, the best player, wanted to play alone. I got to the dressing room, everyone had their heads down. Frank (Rijkaard) was on the other side, lost. I said to them: ‘What are you doing?’ Get up, I’m going to score, I’m still here, what are you afraid of?”
Eto’o also detailed his conversation with Ronaldinho. “I told him, Ronnie, you either play with us or you go sit on the bench. And that’s when you see the great player. He brought us all together and apologized.
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