Kameni: "I thank God every morning for being able to be a footballer"

Carlos Idriss Kameni (Cameroon, 1984) arrived at RCD Espanyol at just 20 years of age. With more than a decade in the Liga BBVA on his CV, the current Málaga CF goalkeeper spoke to lfp.es about his 2014 and what he expects from 2015.

LFP.es: After three seasons you are the undisputed first keeper this year. How did you deal with being a substitute in previous seasons?
Kameni: Life and, above all, football are full of times like that. You have to learn from the hard times to grow and come out stronger. At RCD Espanyol I was the first keeper for six years and when I got here I had to experience the negative side of it, being on the bench, being in the shadow of Willy Caballero, who was doing very well. I had to work hard every day and wait for my chance, I never let my head drop and I never gave up; I knew that football has lots of twists and turns and that my time would come and now that I have it, I am enjoying it.

LFP.es: Are you in the midst of one of the best moments of your career?
Kameni: I am back in the starting line-up and, above all, I feel important again. The relationship with the coaching staff is very good, and that allows you to work with peace of mind and great confidence.

"When your job is what you have wanted to do your whole life, it is really incredible"

LFP.es: What is your manager, Javi Gracia, like?
Kameni: The way he works is very intense. The training sessions are very important because he speaks to the players a lot, not just those that are going to play, with everyone.

LFP.es: What did you know about him before signing for Málaga?
Kameni: I knew him from the times that I had faced his teams and I spoke a little to Raoul Loé, who he trained at Osasuna, and he told me he was a very good person and that, as a manager, he liked to play attractive football.

LFP.es: Of all the managers you have had in the Liga BBVA, who has had the most impact on you?
Kameni: I have learned from all of them; they all have their own ways of training, of managing matches and a way of sharing with the squad. No two managers are the same. All I can say is that all the ones I have had have been good coaches.

LFP.es: You came to Spain at 20 years of age, how have you changed personally and professionally since then?
Kameni: I have matured and changed in the way I approach football and life. With the passing of the years you realise how lucky we are to be professional players. That changes the way you think and act, it changes you into somebody else.

LFP.es: Do you consider yourself one of the lucky ones?
Kameni: Yes, I thank God every morning when I get up for being able to be a professional footballer and enjoy this life. I always have the word 'enjoyment' in my mind. When your job is what you have wanted to do your whole life, in a country like this and in this league, it is really incredible.

"To play in goal was a decision that came with responsibility. No kid wants to bother with going in goal and I did it"

LFP.es: What was your view of the Liga BBVA before coming to Spain and how do you see it now?
Kameni: I did not know much before, now I think it is wonderful; it's crazy, incredible.

LFP.es: You have played international football with Cameroon and won gold at the Sydney Olympics. What are your memories of the experience?
Kameni: I was only 16, I remember that I was relaxed on the bench in the match against Brazil and then they told me that I was going to play that match. Imagine it, a kid of 16 against Ronaldinho and company; I put on my gloves and told myself: "Dig deep, this is a once in a life time opportunity".

LFP.es: What do you remember about the final against Spain?
Kameni: It is what of the best memories of my career, because after Brazil, we played Chile and then the final, against Spain. It was the best! I was facing Xavi Hernández, Puyol, Marchena, Albelda, José Mari, Tamudo... and I thought: "Where am I? What am I going to do?". And I told myself: "Let's enjoy it". In the end we got the gold medal. I still get goose bumps when I watch that match.
LFP.es: Some of your opponents in that match ended up being your teammates, such as Raúl Tamudo.
Kameni: It's true, I coincided with him at Espanyol. That's the magic of football. 

LFP.es: Why did you decide to be a goalkeeper?
Kameni: It was a decision that came with responsibility. When kids play football everyone wants to score goals. Nobody wants to bother with going in goal. And when the chance came up I did it.

"Whenever I watch the final in Sydney against Spain I get goose bumps"

LFP.es: Your children also play football. What advice would you give them?
Kameni: Not much; they have things that are fundamental in life, such as education and the respect of their teammates. I just tell them to enjoy it. The coach is there to teach them what they have to do. I give the coach that space.
LFP.es: How would you summarise 2014?
Kameni: Very positively. The happiness of a footballer who is playing matches and thanks to God things are going very well and I'm playing and having fun with my teammates, the fans and the whole family.

LFP.es: What are your wishes for the new year?
Kameni: Health and more love. We need to live in peace and without love that is impossible to achieve. Health because without it we cannot do anything, the rest will follow. I want the wars of the world and the hunger to end and for all humans to be able to enjoy equally.