With Barcelona and Juventus set to battle it out for European football's biggest prize tomorrow, we caught up with one of Chelsea's 2012 Champions League winners. Interview by Dave Filmer Q & A with Salomon Kalou
BYLINE: Dave Filmer
You won the Champions League with Chelsea. Is that your career highlight?
By far. Some of the greatest players have never won the Champions League. I've won the Premier League, FA Cups and the African Cup of Nations this year, but the Champions League has been the best so far.
What's the build-up to the final like?
It is different. You can play in a World Cup or an African Cup but when you hear the Champions League music it's just different - it's a moment to remember forever.
How impressed have you been by Chelsea this season?
Are you still a Blues supporter?
I am still a Chelsea fan. They've done great but it was easy to see how strong they were. Didier, Obi, JT and all the team are all really good friends so I was very happy for them. We were always a super close group and that really is the reason I believe that team was so successful. What makes Jose Mourinho so special as a boss?
Because everywhere he goes he's successful and it's not easy to be successful.
How important is John Terry to Chelsea?
Every team has one player who is the backbone and for Chelsea that is JT. He was written off last season but showed what a great player he is again.
You're at Hertha Berlin now and your home stadium hosts the final tomorrow. How do you see it going?
Some of the Juventus team will have many great memories from when Italy played France at the 2006 World Cup final there but I think Barcelona have the best chance on the night.
Messi is Barca's main man. Just how good is he - better than Cristiano Ronaldo?
They're the world's top two and you have to respect both. Messi is extremely important to Barca - stopping him won't be easy.
Who do you rate as your toughest opponent?
[Former Chelsea defender Ricardo] Carvalho - I hate playing against him. He is my friend but he loves to kick me! It's a very friendly rivalry.
The best you've played with?
Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure, Michael Essien, John Terry, Frank Lampard. I've been very lucky to play with so many greats, it's very difficult to pick one.
You set up The Kalou Foundation to help the underprivileged worldwide. What motivated you to do this?
When you're in a position to do what you dream of, it's important to give something back. I'm in a lucky position and I believe to stay good you need to give back.
This month (June 15) I'm hosting a dinner in Abidjan to raise money to help with the dialysis centre we've already built in the Ivory Coast and to help orphaned children.