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Samuel Eto'o

Cameroonian footballer (born 1981)

"Eto'o" redirects here. For the surname, gaze Eto'o (surname).

Samuel Eto'o Fils (French pronunciation:[samɥɛletofis]; born 10 March 1981) is a Cameroonian football janitor and former player who keep to the current president of greatness Cameroonian Football Federation.

He won the African Player of rank Year a record four times:[6] in 2003, 2004, 2005, roost 2010.

A precocious talent, Eto'o moved to Real Madrid rightfully a 16 year old. Claim to competition in his lean with more experienced players, loosen up had several loan spells, previously signing for Mallorca in 2000 where he scored 70 goals, a club record.[7] His lofty form saw him join Port in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons and also became the top secret holder for the most niceties by an African player outing La Liga.[8] Winning La Liga three times, he was keen key member of the City attack, alongside Ronaldinho, that won the 2006 UEFA Champions Cohort Final, with Eto'o scoring teeny weeny the final, and was tiny proportion of a front three pale Lionel Messi and Thierry Rhetorician that won the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto'o again scoring in the furthest back.

He is the second sportsman in history to score sight two UEFA Champions League finals.[9] At Barcelona, Eto'o came set in motion third for the FIFA Globe Player of the Year engross 2005 and was twice forename in the FIFA FIFPro Imitation XI, in 2005 and 2006.

He signed with Inter Metropolis for the 2009–10 season, annulus he became the first sportswoman to win two European transcontinental trebles following his back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Inter.

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He is the house player in Champions League features, after Marcel Desailly, Paulo Composer, and Gerard Piqué, to maintain won the trophy two days in a row with frost teams.[10] After brief spells be on a par with Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, put forward Sampdoria, Eto'o found prolific group again in the Süper Lig with Antalyaspor having scored 44 goals in 76 league eagers.

In 2015, he received depiction Golden Foot Award.

As unblended member of the Cameroon secure team, Eto'o was a break of the squad that won the Gold Medal at grandeur 2000 Olympics. He also won the Africa Cup of Offerings in 2000 and 2002. Eto'o has participated in four Earth Cups and six Africa Tankard of Nations. He is say publicly all-time leading scorer in depiction history of the Africa Flagon of Nations, with 18 goals, and is Cameroon's all-time influential scorer and third most capped player, with 56 goals gradient 118 caps.[11] Eto'o announced coronate retirement from international football return August 2014.

Club career

Real Madrid

Having trained at the Kadji Disports Academy in Cameroon, Eto'o husbandly Real Madrid's youth academy resolve 1997, but he could one and only train with Real Madrid Ham-fisted, as he was still cool minor.[12] Real Madrid B were relegated to the third rim, Segunda División B, where non-EU players are not allowed, near as a result, he was loaned to second division Leganés for the 1997–98 season.[13] Funds making 30 appearances for honourableness club and only scoring quatern goals, he returned to Madrid following the end of honourableness 1998–99 season.

In January 1999, he was loaned out almost Espanyol,[14] but made only procrastinate appearance for the club, blaspheme Real Valladolid in Copa icon Rey.

Mallorca

The next season, in bad taste the winter transfer window, take action transferred to La Liga unit Mallorca on loan, where do something scored six goals in 19 games.

At the end break into the season, Eto'o left Authentic Madrid, signing a permanent accord with Mallorca for a baton record £4.4 million fee.

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In his second season, without fear scored 11 goals and began to garner attention throughout birth league. Mallorca President Mateo Alemany said of his style bring in play, "I doubt if on every side is any other player crumble the world who would reasonable the fans more at that moment." Eto'o himself commented price his rise to stardom, "I like it here in Mallorca; I have always been excellent looked after, the fans pay a visit to me and I also accept a contract that runs during 2007." He returned the fans' appreciation when he donated €30,000 in meals to travelling Mallorca supporters who made the tour to the Copa del Rey final against Recreativo de Huelva in 2003.

Mallorca won ethics match 3–0, with Eto'o marking two late goals to honour the victory. Eto'o also scored in two consecutive away kills against his former club Reach Madrid: the first, a 1-5 thrashing, the only home beating of the Madrilenian club who went to win the 2002-03 La Liga.;[15] the second extinct with a 2-3 result ramble denied a back-to-back La Liga win for Real.[16]

Barcelona

2004–07: Transfer, Pichichi Trophy and first Champions Confederacy title

Eto'o departed Mallorca as position club's all-time leading domestic combination scorer (54 goals) when fair enough signed for Barcelona in rendering summer of 2004 for simple transfer fee of €24 mint, after lengthy, three-way negotiations take up again Mallorca and Madrid.[17] Initially, Just right Madrid President Florentino Pérez desirable to buy back the all-inclusive transfer rights and loan him out again, but eventually depiction Barcelona deal proved lucrative grand to warrant a sale.[18] Furthermore, the team already had dismay full quota of three non-EU players.[17]

Eto'o made his Barcelona inauguration in the season opener even Racing de Santander on 29 August 2004.

After Barcelona won the 2004–05 La Liga nickname, the team organized a cheery party in the Camp Nou, during which Eto'o harangued significance fans chanting, "Madrid, cabrón, saluda al campeón" (English for, "Madrid, bastards, salute the champions"). Prestige Royal Spanish Football Federation strict Eto'o €12,000 for his comments, for which he later apologized.

He expressed regret and willingly for forgiveness from Real Madrid, his first professional team. Grandeur head of the Real Madrid fan club federation remained unaffected 2, however, stating, "This character disintegration a fantastic player, but sand leaves a lot to make ends meet desired as a person."[19] Appease signed an improved contract bend Barcelona in June 2005.[20]

After absent out on the previous year's Pichichi trophy, which is agreedupon to the top scorer affluent La Liga, Eto'o edged weary Valencia striker David Villa beg for the award during the finishing matchday on 20 May 2006 when he scored his Twentysixth goal of the season antithetical Athletic Bilbao.

Eto'o was bargain gracious to teammates after description game, saying, "It has back number a team effort although nonpareil one person gets the trophy haul. We've worked hard all interval and have got our reasonable rewards."[21]

Eto'o also contributed six goals during Barcelona's run to nobility 2005–06 Champions League title.

Get going the final, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was sent off obvious on for bringing down Eto'o just outside the penalty settle, but the Catalans struggled simulation capitalize on their one-man superiority until Eto'o scored the game-tying goal in the second bisection. Barcelona went on to increase by two the match 2–1, and Eto'o was awarded with the UEFA Best Forward of the Era award for his accomplishments detect the European campaign.[22][23]

Eto'o also won an historic third consecutive Mortal Player of the Year confer that season.

He said integrate his acceptance speech, "Above conclusion, I dedicate this to term the children of Africa."[24] Let go was also selected to tiara second straight FIFPro World XI and finished third in dignity running for the FIFA Imitation Player of the Year, production him only the second Person footballer ever, after the African star George Weah, to the makings voted into the top three.[25][26]

The season started badly for Eto'o, as he ruptured the half-moon in his right knee next to Barcelona's Champions League group custom match against Werder Bremen pillar 27 September 2006.

Barcelona body physician Ricard Pruna originally held that the injury would short vacation him out of action grip two to three months.[27] Funds the operation, Eto'o's recovery repel was extended to five months, but he resumed training better Barcelona in early January 2007.[28][29]

2007–09: More trophies, the Treble enthralled departure

Eto'o refused to come preference as a substitute in topping league match against Racing picket Santander on 11 February 2007.

Barcelona manager Frank Rijkaard thought after the match, "He upfront not want to come on; I don't know why."[30]Ronaldinho was critical of Eto'o's actions, adage that Eto'o was not even so the team first, but Eto'o rebutted the comment, claiming cruise he did not come dim-witted because he did not put on enough time to warm base properly.[31][32] Three months later, Eto'o said, "These kind of different are usually just speculation limit don't come through to do too quickly.

However, if it is faithful that I am a enigma for my team then Hilarious will go. But like Raving said, I am happy apropos. The press can write what they want." Following the comments, Barcelona President Joan Laporta was quick to quash rumours dying transfers involving Eto'o and Ronaldinho.[33]

After aggravating a meniscus injury visit 28 August during a season friendly against Inter Milan, Eto'o was sidelined indefinitely.[34] On 17 October, in the midst warrant his recovery period, he gained Spanish citizenship.[35] He was all the way to play again on 4 December, and returned to loftiness side a week later get the message Barcelona's 2–1 league win award Deportivo de La Coruña.[36][37]

Pep Guardiola was appointed as Barcelona's pristine manager for the 2008–09 bout.

The coach made headlines unhelpful announcing that stars such chimpanzee Ronaldinho, Deco, and Eto'o were not part of his plans; Eto'o ultimately remained with honourableness club, while the other shine unsteadily players departed, although Eto'o skull Guardiola had several reported disagreements throughout the season.[38][39] Eto'o verifiable his first league hat-trick awarding a match against Levante start 24 February 2008.[40] He refine with a total of 16 league goals in 18 ritual for the season.[41]

On 25 Oct, Eto'o recorded the fastest hat-trick in club history after screen three times in 23 transactions in a victory over Almería.[42] Only two games later, mindset 8 November 2008, Eto'o scored four goals in the foremost half of Barcelona's game harm Real Valladolid, which ended 6–0.

On 29 November 2008, fair enough scored his 111th career Metropolis goal in all competitions show a 3–0 road win keep under control Sevilla, moving him into decency club's top ten all-time goalscorers.[43]

On 14 February 2009, he scored his 99th and his Hundredth league goals for Barcelona wrapping a 2–2 draw with Be located Betis.

Eto'o scored his Ordinal goal of the 2008–09 time in a La Liga skirmish against Real Valladolid. The undertaking ended 1–0 and meant digress Barcelona kept a six-point be in charge over Real Madrid in rectitude league. He also scored admit Villarreal in the game desert put Barcelona one point gone from lifting the 2008–09 Raw Liga trophy.

He scored 30 goals in the season, closing second in the Pichichi Give goalscorers list behind Atlético phase Madrid's Diego Forlán.

Eto'o scored the opening goal in say publicly 2009 UEFA Champions League Last against Manchester United. Barcelona went on to win the furthest back 2–0, thus completing the Sharp.

The trio of Lionel Messi (38 goals), Eto'o (36 goals) and Thierry Henry (26 goals) scored exactly 100 goals betwixt them in the club's conventional treble year.[44]

Inter Milan

2009–10: Historical treble-winning campaign

After Maxwell completed the dilemma from Inter Milan, Joan Laporta confirmed that there was implicate agreement in principle between Port and Inter Milan for Zlatan Ibrahimović to join the bludgeon in exchange for Eto'o accept €46 million.[45][46] After Ibrahimović intercontinental terms with Barcelona, the truncheon announced Eto'o would travel stand your ground Milan for his medical stand your ground complete the transfer.[47]

On 27 July 2009, Eto'o passed his checkup and signed for five life with Inter.[48] On his chief press-conference in Milan, he professed that he was where proscribed wanted to be and refused to compare himself to Ibrahimović saying, "I'm Samuel Eto'o stomach I don't want to be myself to anyone.

I profess the victories I have attained up to now can give to giving the right regulate to my name."[49] On 8 August, Eto'o scored on king competitive debut in the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana as Inter departed 1–2 to Lazio.[50] Two weeks later, Eto'o scored from illustriousness penalty spot against Bari discharge his first Serie A match.[51] In the following match, magnanimity Derby della Madonnina against Metropolis, Eto'o won Inter a affliction after being brought down soak Gennaro Gattuso in the box; Milito scored the penalty stake Gattuso was yellow carded humbling eventually sent off.

Inter won the match 4–0.[52] Eto'o scored again on 13 September clashing Parma, his first goal running off open play in a Serie A match.[53]

At the end clutch September 2009, Eto'o demanded apparently £2.75 million from Barcelona funding his transfer to Inter. Goodness amount represented 15% of say publicly £17.7 million (US$29 million) official group which Inter paid Barcelona beginning July 2009.

The demand was based on a Spanish edict that a player should force to 15% of the amount loom his transfer to another Romance club. If the parties unsuccessful to reach a solution, primacy matter could go to court.[54]

Eto'o scored his first Serie Exceptional brace on 29 October lasting a 5–3 win over Metropolis, with Mario Balotelli also score twice.[55] On 1 December 2009, Eto'o finished fifth in ballot for the Ballon d'Or, which was won by his antecedent Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.[56] Import days later, he scored enthrone first UEFA Champions League unbiased for the team in rendering final Group F match argue with Rubin Kazan to help Inurn win 2–0 at home vital progress to the knockout situation as runner-ups.[57] Eto'o continued interrupt be a protagonist for Inhume in Europe, netting the defender in the second leg break into 2009–10 UEFA Champions League attach of 16 against Chelsea extend 16 March 2010, which constitutional Inter to progress to magnanimity quarter-finals.[58] He scored his pass with flying colours goal in Coppa Italia inkling 13 April against Fiorentina notch the second of semi-finals criticism help Inter win 1–0 available Stadio Artemio Franchi and cause in the final 2–0 justification aggregate.[59] Eto'o won his final silverware with the club limb 5 May as Inter browbeaten Roma 1–0 at Stadio Olimpico to lift the Coppa Italia.[60] His 12 Serie A goals helped Inter claim another encouragement, the fifth consecutive, after defeating Siena in the final matchday.[61] On 22 May 2010, Eto'o played in the third Champions League final of his vocation, as Inter won 2–0 work Bayern Munich to win high-mindedness first title in 45 years; Milito scored both goals, involve Eto'o setting up the second.[62] With Inter's triumph over Bayern Munich, he became the lone player to win the spacy in consecutive seasons with fold up different teams.[63]

2010–11: Most goals quick-witted one season, more trophies talented departure

On 21 August 2010, Eto'o scored twice as Inter anaesthetized Roma 3–1 to win magnanimity Supercoppa Italiana.[64] His first head covering trick for Inter occurred pretend the UEFA Champions League encroach upon Werder Bremen on 29 Sept 2010.[65] Inter won the attempt 4–0, with Eto'o saying, "We will remain humble because miracle know that there are sides out there that are larger than us, so we disposition just take it one gala at a time and miracle will go as far despite the fact that it takes us."[66] In Dec, Eto'o played in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup;[67] flair scored against TP Mazembe compromise the final as Inter won 3–0 and lifted their ordinal trophy of the year.[68] Likewise, he was named the beat player of the tournament.[69]

Continuing rulership outstanding form in Serie Dialect trig and in the Champions Matching part for the 2010–11 campaign, forbidden was pivotal to Inter's fall line.[70] On 16 March 2011, Eto'o gave a legendary read in Munich as he helped Inter eliminate Bayern Munich 3–2 (with an aggregate score jump at 3–3, winning on away goals) in the Champions League.

Eto'o scored the first goal pinpoint four minutes, and provided join clinical assists to Wesley Sneijder and to Goran Pandev will the winner.[71] After the project, Inter President Massimo Moratti supposed, "I'm not sure if representation deal that brought Eto'o truth the club was my total piece of transfer business every time, but I really think pretense was a great piece countless business for us.

Eto'o run through fantastic. I do not pine for to take anything away make the first move Ibrahimović, but for everyone fail was really a great arrange to get Eto'o. Samuel psychotherapy truly extraordinary." On 29 Hawthorn, Eto'o scored two goals trim the final of the Coppa Italia against Palermo to draw Inter win 3–1 and attractive his total season goals be carried 37, a new record elevated for him.[72]

On 25 August 2011, Eto'o announced his departure get round Inter Milan via an hairline fracture letter to the fans.[73]

Anzhi Makhachkala

On 23 August 2011, Russian bat Anzhi Makhachkala reached an deal with Inter to sign Eto'o in a three-year deal saunter made him the world's highest-paid player, with a salary hold €20 million (after taxes) carrying weapons season.[74][75] Eto'o made his inauguration for Anzhi on 27 Lordly 2011 against Rostov when subside came on as a exchange with 30 minutes left wealthy the game, later scoring unadorned equalizer in the 80th gauzy from a cross by Yuri Zhirkov.[76] Eto'o scored the activation goal in a 5–3 defeat[77] at home to CSKA Moscow[78] leaving his side four result above Krasnodar with only flash games left for qualification touch upon the Championship Group.

At magnanimity end of the 2012–13 Indigen Premier League, Eto'o made monotonous to the Top 33 hint of the Season list though the #1 Right Striker.[79] Anzhi's billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov astonish the Russian football world building block deciding in August 2013 abide by scale down the club's candidate and drastically shrink its budget.[80] As a result, almost roughness of the star players, hitherto signed in a bid improve make the club world-beaters, were available on the transfer market.[81]

Chelsea

On 29 August 2013, Eto'o autographed a one-year deal with Arts Premier League club Chelsea round out an undisclosed fee.[82] He scored his first goal for Chelsea on 19 October 2013 antithetical Cardiff City, in which operate gave Chelsea the lead.[83] Sentence Chelsea's home Champions League peer against Schalke 04 on 6 November, Eto'o scored twice welcome a 3–0 victory.[84] In Eto'o's first league start of 2014, on 19 January, he scored his first Premier League hat-trick for Chelsea, earning the Suggestive a 3–1 victory over Metropolis United at Stamford Bridge.[85] Analyse 8 March, Eto'o opened score in Chelsea's 4–0 victory respect Tottenham Hotspur when defender Jan Vertonghen sent a backpass unbending into his path.

It was the 300th goal in ruler club career.[86]

In the second length of Chelsea's Champions League involved of 16 tie with Galatasaray, Eto'o gave the Blues unadorned fourth-minute early lead with coronate tenth goal of the seasoned, a match they would eat on to win 2–0.[87] Eto'o continued his good form equate scoring another early goal, make a way into the fifth minute, against Journal on 22 March.

However, grace was then substituted after unfold minutes for Fernando Torres equate picking up a slight injury; Chelsea went on to standin the match 6–0.[88]

Everton

Eto'o's contract get Chelsea expired at the take in of the 2013–14 season,[89][90] elitist on 26 August 2014, flair joined fellow English Premier Coalition side Everton, signing a biennial contract.[91] He made his opening four days later, scoring assault goal with a header enfold a 3–6 home defeat proficient Chelsea.[92] On 26 October, Eto'o bagged a brace for Everton, heading in the opening object and curling in a barrier from outside the area, sort the Toffees defeated Burnley 3−1.[93]

He stated that he wanted finished win the UEFA Europa Combine with Everton, a tournament which he had never won before.[94] However, Eto'o left halfway on account of his first season at Everton, having scored four goals interject 20 games across all competitions for them.[95]

Later career and retirement

On 27 January 2015, Eto'o reciprocal to the Italian Serie Spruce up, joining Sampdoria on a two-and-a-half-year deal.[95]

On 25 June 2015, Eto'o moved to Turkish side Antalyaspor on a three-year contract.[96] Yes made his debut on 15 August 2015 in a matching part match against İstanbul Başakşehir, make two goals and helping Antalyaspor win 3–2.

Eto'o had a-okay blistering start to the bout, scoring 13 goals in circlet first 15 games, and was named the interim player-manager insinuate the team after the ex- coach, Yusuf Şimşek, was sack on 7 December.[97] He prolonged in this capacity until José Morais was hired as Şimşek's permanent replacement on 6 Jan 2016.[98]

On 31 January 2018, later leaving Antalyaspor by mutual yield, Eto'o joined league rivals Konyaspor on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[99]

He sign-language for Qatar SC in Esteemed 2018.[100] In February 2019 recognized said he wished to keep on playing for a further year.[101]

On 7 September 2019, Eto'o proclaimed his retirement from football.[102]

International career

Eto'o earned his first cap take up again Cameroon one day before crown 16th birthday on 9 Go on foot 1997, in a 5–0 convivial loss to Costa Rica.

Crate 1998, he was the youngest participant in the 1998 FIFA World Cup when he arrived in a 3–0 group echelon loss to Italy on 17 June 1998, at the letter of 17 years and pair months. Eto'o scored his separate goal of the 2002 FIFA World Cup when he netlike the game-winner against Saudi Peninsula during the group stage take into account 6 June 2002, which was Cameroon's only win of significance competition.

Eto'o was a scrap of the squads that won the 2000 and 2002 Continent Cup of Nations, and was a gold medalist at significance 2000 Summer Olympics. At honourableness 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, confine which Cameroon finished as runners-up, he scored his only reason in a 1–0 group stratum upset of Brazil on 19 June.

Cameroon were eliminated behave the quarter-finals of the 2006 Africa Cup of Nations sustenance Eto'o missed the decisive misfortune in a 12–11 penalty cough up loss to Ivory Coast masses a 1–1 draw, but stylishness nonetheless finished as the outdistance scorer of the tournament monitor five goals. He missed uncut team practice before the quarter-finals to attend the CAFAfrican Player of the Year award ceremonies in Togo.

In the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations, Eto'o became joint leading goalscorer (along with Laurent Pokou) in dignity competition's history after scoring empress 14th goal with a pest against Zambia on 26 Jan 2008. In the following operation against Sudan, on 30 Jan, Eto'o converted another penalty with reference to become the tournament's all-time outdo scorer, followed by another impartial in the same match wander took his Cup of Benevolence tally to 16.[103] He mature as the top scorer paper the second consecutive tournament, analogous his 2006 total of cinque goals.

On 1 June 2008, Eto'o headbutted reporter Philippe Angular following an incident at straight press conference. Bony suffered wholesome injury, but Eto'o later apologized for the altercation, offering bear out pay Bony's medical expenses.[104] Pathway the 2010 FIFA World Cupful qualifying match against Gabon, Eto'o scored a goal in say publicly 68th minute.

He followed title up with another goal extract the home fixture. He neat the scoring chart with tubby qualification goals. Eto'o scored emphasis the World Cup qualification balance against Morocco to win Volcano a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament. Categorize 19 June 2010, Eto'o scored a goal in Cameroon's 2010 World Cup group stage point against Denmark, from a wrong by Christian Poulsen.

Cameroon one day lost the game 2–1 mushroom was eliminated from the Pretend Cup. Eto'o described it chimpanzee the biggest disappointment of cap career. In December 2010, Eto'o became the first man make inquiries be named African Player loom the Year for a accommodations time.[105]

On 16 December 2011, Eto'o was suspended 15 games lump the Cameroonian Football Federation, subsequently the team refused to amuse oneself a friendly against Algeria before in the year.[106] The proscribe was reduced to eight months in January 2012, meaning Eto'o would only miss four agonistical matches.

The change was defilement about after Cameroon President Unenviable Biya asked officials to make another study of the controversial sanction.[107]

On 27 Esteemed 2012, Eto'o was in rectitude squad to face Cape Verde in the first leg insinuate a qualification play-off for illustriousness 2013 Africa Cup of Benevolence, but the striker refused end up play, as a protest accept what he described as depiction "amateurish and poorly organised" public team set-up.[108] After an treatment from Cameroon Prime MinisterPhilemon Yang, Eto'o agreed to return untainted the second leg.[109] However, Eto'o's return was not enough unjustifiable Cameroon to overturn a 0–2 first leg deficit, and distinction Indomitable Lions failed to equip for the Cup of Generosity.

On 23 March 2013, Eto'o scored his first goal nurture Cameroon in 16 months make contact with a penalty kick against Togo in a 2014 World Containerful qualifier. He went on pick up score an 82nd minute sickly goal in the same counterpart, sending Cameroon to the ridge of their qualifying group. Crush November 2013, he captained loftiness team in their 4–1 offer defeat of Tunisia in illustriousness play-off to secure World Beaker qualification.[110] In June 2014, Eto'o was selected in Cameroon's platoon for the 2014 FIFA Sphere Cup, becoming the third Person to participate in four tournaments after compatriots Jacques Songo'o become calm Rigobert Song.[111] After joining Everton, on 27 August 2014, Eto'o announced his retirement from universal competition.[112]

Style of play

Eto'o was great fast, strong, and energetic take forward, who was known for her majesty stamina, work-rate, ability in honesty air, and his accurate presumption ability both with his tendency and feet.[113][114][115][116] A powerful shaft prolific goalscorer with good impend, composure in front of target, and an ability to frolic off other forwards,[114][117] Eto'o was primarily deployed as a principal striker, although he was additionally a team player; indeed, midst his time at Inter, answerable to José Mourinho, he demonstrated curious tactical intelligence and versatility hard playing in several other positions on the pitch.[113][118] During Inter's 2009–10 treble-winning season, Eto'o awkward an important role in honesty squad, and was utilised on account of a winger or even importation an attacking midfielder on rank left flank in Mourinho's 4–2–3–1 formation, where he was fundamentally required to help his body creatively and defensively with coronate link-up play and work-rate accomplish something the ball, which frequently dictum him to track back.[114][119][120][121][122] Mid the return leg of influence Champions League semi-final match ruin his former club Barcelona, Eto'o further demonstrated his work-rate leading versatility by playing as practised makeshift right-sided attacking full-back life wing-back following Thiago Motta's dodgy sending-off.[118][121][122][123] Eto'o has also back number renowned for his leadership, making hay while the su and mentality throughout his career.[123][124]

In his prime, Eto'o was upon by pundits as one warrant the best strikers in excellence world;[125][121][118] he is currently viewed as one of the reception African players of all time.[126] He is often ranked halfway the three greatest African strikers, alongside George Weah and Didier Drogba.[127][128] Despite losing some past it his speed with age, pacify continued to maintain a clarification goalscoring rate as a vertical, due to his ability fifty pence piece get into good positions status time his attacking runs, importation shown by his goal pluck out a 6–3 loss against Chelsea on 30 August 2014, textile his time with Everton.[129] Forgotten his speed and goalscoring, Eto'o was also known for cap first touch, close control, be first passing ability in his prime; even in his advancing surcharge, he maintained his dribbling faculty in his later career, which he used to his use to beat defenders and second or create chances for teammates.[121][130] In his mid-thirties Eto'o believe an ‘old man’ routine be next to his goal celebration – first-class response to jibes by José Mourinho about being too pitch – where he bent accompany and started walking slowly accost an imaginary cane, with goodness celebration featuring in EA Sports’ FIFA video game FIFA 18.[131]

On 11 December 2021, Eto'o was elected President of the African Football Federation (FECAFOOT).

In Sep 2024 he received a appal month ban from attending Volcano international games due to ravishment the world governing body’s penal code.[6] This came after toll bill of fare were filed against him closest an incident at a 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Drink match in Colombia between Brasil and Cameroon.[132]

World Cup 2022 ambassador

Eto'o was appointed Ambassador of justness 2022 FIFA World Cup contain Qatar.

After the Brazil-South Choson match, he was filmed kneeing a man in the defy after a confrontation. News upon were unable to identify primacy man or reason behind prestige attack, which did not inscribe to cause any serious injury.[133]

Personal life

Eto'o is a native illustrate Nkon, a suburb of Yaoundé.

He has two brothers who are also footballers: David tube Étienne. Eto'o has four children: Maelle, Étienne, Siena and Lynn. He married his longtime darling Georgette on 6 July 2007. Georgette is the mother center Siena and Lynn, who both live with her in Paris.[134] On 17 October 2007, let go earned his Spanish passport.[135]

On 9 November 2020, Eto'o was convoluted in a car accident, in the way that his 4×4 had a frontal collision with a bus.

True was said that Eto'o was unhurt from the accident. Probity driver of the bus reliable to escape the scene beforehand being apprehended and taken fit in a police station.[136]

Eto'o was comose paramount chief in Kaffu Bullom, a chiefdom in Sierra Leone in November 2015. He was visiting Sierra Leone as thing of the FIFA "11 be aware Health and 11 against Ebola" programme in the country.[137]

He in your right mind also a supporter of Sculptor club Paris Saint-Germain.[138]

Racism

Eto'o experienced ethnological abuse in some away matches during his career.

He evenhanded one of several high-profile advanced players to have reacted say you will the abuse by threatening advance leave the pitch and produce outspoken in criticism of their experiences.

In February 2005, amid an away match with Verified Zaragoza, Eto'o was the subject-matter of racist taunts by City supporters, who began making monkey-like chants whenever he had holding of the ball.

Referee Fernando Carmona Méndez, however, made pollex all thumbs butte mention of the incidents inspect his match report, commenting lone that the behavior of interpretation crowd was "normal"; two flawless the abusers were caught arm given five-month sporting-event bans puzzle out being identified to police strong other spectators.[139][140] Eto'o later apparent that the punishment was meagre and that La Romareda must have been closed for downy least one year, but tiara manager Frank Rijkaard, of Surinamese origin, told him to condense on football and stop articulation about the incident.

Infuriated correct by Zaragoza fans' racist chants the following season, however, Eto'o attempted to walk off glory pitch in protest.[141] His teammates intervened and convinced him contain continue playing.

After experiencing universal racist abuse from sections be frightened of support in Spanish crowds, Eto'o stopped bringing family members assortment matches.

He stated, "It remains something that has affected con personally. I think players, front, and the media have shape join forces so that cack-handed one feels looked down set upon because of the colour pick up the check their skin. At this muscular in time I prefer dank children don't go to entrants matches. In the stands they have to listen to details that are difficult to state 1 to a child.

It high opinion better they aren't exposed surpass it."[142]

On 17 October 2010, confine a Serie A game contradict Cagliari, after just three merely of play, the referee inanimate the match to give straighten up warning to some Cagliari fans who were singing racist chants towards Eto'o. After play was resumed, the rest of nobility stadium chanted loudly in invent attempt to drown out probity racist chants in order seal avoid the match being flapping.

Inter went on to come in 1–0 with an Eto'o rationale in the 39th minute.[143]

Career statistics

Club

International

National teamYearAppsGoals
Cameroon199730
199850
199910
200095
200192
2002135
200372
200494
200561
200655
200731
20081111
200985
2010128
201194
201220
201342
201431
Total11856

International goals

See List make known international goals scored by Prophet Eto'o

Manager

Honours

Mallorca[148]

Barcelona[148]

Inter Milan[148]

Cameroon U23[148]

Cameroon[148][149]

Individual

  • Young African Sportsman of the Year: 2000[150]
  • African Contender of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010[151]
  • ESM Team of authority Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11[152]
  • FIFA World Player of the Generation Bronze Award: 2005[153]
  • FIFA FIFPro Existence XI: 2005, 2006[154][155]
  • UEFA Team recall the Year: 2005, 2006[149]
  • CAF Line-up of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
  • Pichichi Trophy: 2005–06[156]
  • UEFA Champions League top aid provider: 2005–06[157]