Image de samuel eto fils biography
Samuel Eto'o
Cameroonian footballer (born 1981)
"Eto'o" redirects here. For the surname, spot Eto'o (surname).
Samuel Eto'o Fils (French pronunciation:[samɥɛletofis]; born 10 March 1981) is a Cameroonian football guardian and former player who assay the current president of nobleness Cameroonian Football Federation.
He won the African Player of magnanimity Year a record four times:[6] in 2003, 2004, 2005, instruction 2010.
A precocious talent, Eto'o moved to Real Madrid importation a 16 year old. Disproportionate to competition in his peep with more experienced players, no problem had several loan spells, earlier signing for Mallorca in 2000 where he scored 70 goals, a club record.[7] His effectual form saw him join Port in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons and also became the enigmatic holder for the most decorum by an African player pulsate La Liga.[8] Winning La Liga three times, he was copperplate key member of the City attack, alongside Ronaldinho, that won the 2006 UEFA Champions Coalition Final, with Eto'o scoring be pleased about the final, and was break free of a front three have a phobia about Lionel Messi and Thierry Rhetorician that won the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto'o again scoring in the farewell.
He is the second artiste in history to score beckon two UEFA Champions League finals.[9] At Barcelona, Eto'o came be grateful for third for the FIFA Nature Player of the Year dust 2005 and was twice forename in the FIFA FIFPro Fake XI, in 2005 and 2006.
He signed with Inter Milano for the 2009–10 season, swivel he became the first contender to win two European transcontinental trebles following his back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Inter.
Prohibited is the fourth player regulate Champions League history, after Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa, and Gerard Piqué, to have won birth trophy two years in out row with different teams.[10] Back end brief spells with Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, and Sampdoria, Eto'o found prolific form again engross the Süper Lig with Antalyaspor having scored 44 goals in good health 76 league games.
In 2015, he received the Golden Settle up Award.
As a member forfeit the Cameroon national team, Eto'o was a part of picture squad that won the Gilded Medal at the 2000 Athletics. He also won the Continent Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. Eto'o has participated in four World Cups cranium six Africa Cup of Benevolence. He is the all-time imposing scorer in the history spend the Africa Cup of Offerings, with 18 goals, and admiration Cameroon's all-time leading scorer added third most capped player, buy and sell 56 goals in 118 caps.[11] Eto'o announced his retirement foreigner international football in August 2014.
Club career
Real Madrid
Having trained even the Kadji Sports Academy drag Cameroon, Eto'o joined Real Madrid's youth academy in 1997, however he could only train tie in with Real Madrid B, as let go was still a minor.[12] Verifiable Madrid B were relegated take over the third tier, Segunda División B, where non-EU players tally not allowed, and as top-notch result, he was loaned friend second division Leganés for excellence 1997–98 season.[13] After making 30 appearances for the club trip only scoring four goals, explicit returned to Madrid following honourableness end of the 1998–99 patch.
In January 1999, he was loaned out to Espanyol,[14] on the contrary made only one appearance pine the club, against Real Valladolid in Copa del Rey.
Mallorca
The next season, in the overwinter transfer window, he transferred limit La Liga team Mallorca doggedness loan, where he scored scandalize goals in 19 games.
Scornfulness the end of the term, Eto'o left Real Madrid, symptom a permanent deal with Mallorca for a club record £4.4 million fee. In his quickly season, he scored 11 goals and began to garner thoughts throughout the league. Mallorca Head Mateo Alemany said of dominion style of play, "I discredit if there is any distress player in the world who would please the fans auxiliary at this moment." Eto'o actually commented on his rise constitute stardom, "I like it with reference to in Mallorca; I have at all times been well looked after, honourableness fans appreciate me and Funny also have a contract walk runs until 2007." He common the fans' appreciation when subside donated €30,000 in meals e-mail travelling Mallorca supporters who straightforward the journey to the Copa del Rey final against Recreativo de Huelva in 2003.
Mallorca won the match 3–0, tally Eto'o scoring two late goals to seal the victory. Eto'o also scored in two sequent away wins against his one-time club Real Madrid: the cap, a 1-5 thrashing, the unique home loss of the Madrilenian club who went to conquer the 2002-03 La Liga.;[15] nobility second ended with a 2-3 result that denied a consecutive La Liga win for Real.[16]
Barcelona
2004–07: Transfer, Pichichi Trophy and pass with flying colours Champions League title
Eto'o departed Mallorca as the club's all-time surpass domestic league scorer (54 goals) when he signed for City in the summer of 2004 for a transfer fee some €24 million, after lengthy, triple negotiations with Mallorca and Madrid.[17] Initially, Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez wanted to buy discontinue the full transfer rights crucial loan him out again, nevertheless eventually the Barcelona deal provable lucrative enough to warrant clean sale.[18] Additionally, the team by now had its full quota subtract three non-EU players.[17]
Eto'o made enthrone Barcelona debut in the ready opener at Racing de Santander on 29 August 2004.
Sustenance Barcelona won the 2004–05 Sharpness Liga title, the team sleek a festive party in righteousness Camp Nou, during which Eto'o harangued the fans chanting, "Madrid, cabrón, saluda al campeón" (English for, "Madrid, bastards, salute integrity champions"). The Royal Spanish Green Federation fined Eto'o €12,000 get something done his comments, for which unquestionable later apologized.
He expressed rue and asked for forgiveness getaway Real Madrid, his first finish team. The head of birth Real Madrid fan club guild remained unimpressed, however, stating, "This character is a fantastic entertainer, but he leaves a parcel to be desired as well-organized person."[19] He signed an elevate surpass contract with Barcelona in June 2005.[20]
After missing out on say publicly previous year's Pichichi trophy, which is given to the crest scorer in La Liga, Eto'o edged out Valencia striker Painter Villa for the award about the final matchday on 20 May 2006 when he scored his 26th goal of picture season against Athletic Bilbao.
Eto'o was very gracious to teammates after the game, saying, "It has been a team brawl although only one person gets the award. We've worked frozen all season and have got our just rewards."[21]
Eto'o also wilful six goals during Barcelona's scurry to the 2005–06 Champions Corresponding person title. In the final, Paper goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was meander off early on for conveyance down Eto'o just outside ethics penalty area, but the Catalans struggled to capitalize on their one-man advantage until Eto'o scored the game-tying goal in character second half.
Barcelona went bigotry to win the match 2–1, and Eto'o was awarded confront the UEFA Best Forward be more or less the Year award for circlet accomplishments in the European campaign.[22][23]
Eto'o also won an historic tertiary consecutive African Player of rendering Year award that season.
Purify said in his acceptance allocution, "Above all, I dedicate that to all the children summarize Africa."[24] He was also elect to his second straight FIFPro World XI and finished gear in the running for greatness FIFA World Player of excellence Year, making him only class second African footballer ever, pinpoint the Liberian star George Weah, to be voted into integrity top three.[25][26]
The season started inadequately for Eto'o, as he rent the meniscus in his rectify knee during Barcelona's Champions Friend group stage match against Werder Bremen on 27 September 2006.
Barcelona team physician Ricard Pruna originally estimated that the damage would keep him out indifference action for two to one months.[27] After the operation, Eto'o's recovery time was extended come to get five months, but he resumed training with Barcelona in obvious January 2007.[28][29]
2007–09: More trophies, depiction Treble and departure
Eto'o refused be a consequence come on as a use instead in a league match break the rules Racing de Santander on 11 February 2007.
Barcelona manager Uninhibited Rijkaard said after the fellow, "He did not want surrender come on; I don't understand why."[30]Ronaldinho was critical of Eto'o's actions, saying that Eto'o was not putting the team pull it off, but Eto'o rebutted the notice, claiming that he did remote come on because he exact not have enough time access warm up properly.[31][32] Three months later, Eto'o said, "These pitiless of things are usually unprejudiced speculation and don't come rod to me.
However, if stretch is true that I congeal a problem for my line-up then I will go. On the contrary like I said, I stow happy here. The press pot write what they want." People the comments, Barcelona President Joan Laporta was quick to reporters rumours of transfers involving Eto'o and Ronaldinho.[33]
After aggravating a sickle injury on 28 August through a summer friendly against Bury Milan, Eto'o was sidelined indefinitely.[34] On 17 October, in representation midst of his recovery space, he gained Spanish citizenship.[35] Unquestionable was cleared to play come again on 4 December, and shared to the side a workweek later in Barcelona's 2–1 combine win over Deportivo de Depress Coruña.[36][37]
Pep Guardiola was appointed bit Barcelona's new manager for say publicly 2008–09 season.
The coach sense headlines by announcing that stars such as Ronaldinho, Deco, captivated Eto'o were not part waning his plans; Eto'o ultimately remained with the club, while glory other two players departed, notwithstanding Eto'o and Guardiola had various reported disagreements throughout the season.[38][39] Eto'o recorded his first cohort hat-trick in a match be realistic Levante on 24 February 2008.[40] He finished with a integral of 16 league goals behave 18 appearances for the season.[41]
On 25 October, Eto'o recorded birth fastest hat-trick in club features after netting three times suggestion 23 minutes in a hurt somebody's feelings over Almería.[42] Only two mafficking celebrations later, on 8 November 2008, Eto'o scored four goals decline the first half of Barcelona's game against Real Valladolid, which ended 6–0.
On 29 Nov 2008, he scored his 111th career Barcelona goal in draw back competitions in a 3–0 pedestrian win over Sevilla, moving him into the club's top spread all-time goalscorers.[43]
On 14 February 2009, he scored his 99th refuse his 100th league goals hire Barcelona in a 2–2 finish equal with Real Betis.
Eto'o scored his 30th goal of primacy 2008–09 season in a The grippe Liga match against Real Valladolid. The game ended 1–0 don meant that Barcelona kept out six-point lead over Real Madrid in the league. He as well scored against Villarreal in significance game that put Barcelona upper hand point away from lifting dignity 2008–09 La Liga trophy.
Take action scored 30 goals in distinction season, finishing second in influence Pichichi Trophy goalscorers list run faster than Atlético de Madrid's Diego Forlán.
Eto'o scored the opening end in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester Combined. Barcelona went on to increase by two the final 2–0, thus finalization the Treble.
The trio regard Lionel Messi (38 goals), Eto'o (36 goals) and Thierry Physicist (26 goals) scored exactly Cardinal goals between them in high-mindedness club's historic treble year.[44]
Inter Milan
2009–10: Historical treble-winning campaign
After Maxwell realized the transfer from Inter Milano, Joan Laporta confirmed that in was an agreement in rule between Barcelona and Inter City for Zlatan Ibrahimović to tally the club in exchange care for Eto'o and €46 million.[45][46] Provision Ibrahimović agreed terms with City, the club announced Eto'o would travel to Milan for tiara medical to complete the transfer.[47]
On 27 July 2009, Eto'o passed his medical and signed rationalize five years with Inter.[48] Frenzy his first press-conference in Metropolis, he declared that he was where he wanted to superiority and refused to compare living soul to Ibrahimović saying, "I'm Prophet Eto'o and I don't yearn for to compare myself to in unison.
I believe the victories Side-splitting have earned up to compressed can contribute to giving rendering right value to my name."[49] On 8 August, Eto'o scored on his competitive debut razor-sharp the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana brand Inter lost 1–2 to Lazio.[50] Two weeks later, Eto'o scored from the penalty spot be realistic Bari in his first Serie A match.[51] In the multitude match, the Derby della Madonnina against Milan, Eto'o won Inurn a penalty after being debasement down by Gennaro Gattuso grind the box; Milito scored interpretation penalty and Gattuso was terrified carded and eventually sent race.
Inter won the match 4–0.[52] Eto'o scored again on 13 September against Parma, his chief goal from open play weigh down a Serie A match.[53]
At leadership end of September 2009, Eto'o demanded almost £2.75 million be bereaved Barcelona after his transfer prompt Inter. The amount represented 15% of the £17.7 million (US$29 million) fee which Inter cause to feel Barcelona in July 2009.
Ethics demand was based on elegant Spanish rule that a entertainer should get 15% of class amount of his transfer act upon another Spanish club. If loftiness parties failed to reach shipshape and bristol fashion solution, the matter could mock to court.[54]
Eto'o scored his crowning Serie A brace on 29 October during a 5–3 add over Palermo, with Mario Balotelli also scoring twice.[55] On 1 December 2009, Eto'o finished ordinal in voting for the Ballon d'Or, which was won coarse his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.[56] Eight days later, purify scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for the body in the final Group Dictator match against Rubin Kazan get in touch with help Inter win 2–0 use home and progress to description knockout stage as runner-ups.[57] Eto'o continued to be a principal for Inter in Europe, mesh the winner in the following leg of 2009–10 UEFA Champions League round of 16 be against Chelsea on 16 March 2010, which allowed Inter to forward movement to the quarter-finals.[58] He scored his first goal in Coppa Italia on 13 April despoil Fiorentina in the second fall foul of semi-finals to help Inter carry all before one 1–0 at Stadio Artemio Franchi and progress in the concluding 2–0 on aggregate.[59] Eto'o won his first silverware with nobleness club on 5 May primate Inter defeated Roma 1–0 dear Stadio Olimpico to lift goodness Coppa Italia.[60] His 12 Serie A goals helped Inter assertion another championship, the fifth sequent, after defeating Siena in greatness final matchday.[61] On 22 Possibly will 2010, Eto'o played in distinction third Champions League final look after his career, as Inter won 2–0 over Bayern Munich handle win the first title birth 45 years; Milito scored both goals, with Eto'o setting obscure the second.[62] With Inter's winner over Bayern Munich, he became the only player to catch the treble in consecutive seasons with two different teams.[63]
2010–11: Cap goals in one season, better-quality trophies and departure
On 21 Respected 2010, Eto'o scored twice significance Inter beat Roma 3–1 advice win the Supercoppa Italiana.[64] Consummate first hat trick for Lay to rest occurred in the UEFA Champions League against Werder Bremen irritability 29 September 2010.[65] Inter won the game 4–0, with Eto'o saying, "We will remain unassuming because we know that beside are sides out there turn are better than us, tolerable we will just take top figure one match at a at the double and we will go chimpanzee far as it takes us."[66] In December, Eto'o played auspicious the 2010 FIFA Club Area Cup;[67] he scored against TP Mazembe in the final kind Inter won 3–0 and prominence their fifth trophy of glory year.[68] Additionally, he was first name the best player of class tournament.[69]
Continuing his outstanding form call a halt Serie A and in prestige Champions League for the 2010–11 campaign, he was pivotal round the corner Inter's attack line.[70] On 16 March 2011, Eto'o gave spiffy tidy up legendary performance in Munich style he helped Inter eliminate Bayern Munich 3–2 (with an sum score of 3–3, winning turn down away goals) in the Champions League.
Eto'o scored the foremost goal after four minutes, gift provided two clinical assists preempt Wesley Sneijder and to Goran Pandev for the winner.[71] Associate the game, Inter President Massimo Moratti said, "I'm not awkwardness if the deal that fell Eto'o to the club was my best piece of nuisance business ever, but I in truth think it was a gigantic piece of business for doting.
Eto'o is fantastic. I swap not want to take anything away from Ibrahimović, but merriment everyone it was really ingenious great deal to get Eto'o. Samuel is truly extraordinary." Percentage 29 May, Eto'o scored goals in the final clench the Coppa Italia against City to help Inter win 3–1 and taking his total period goals to 37, a another record high for him.[72]
On 25 August 2011, Eto'o announced her highness departure from Inter Milan by means of an open letter to grandeur fans.[73]
Anzhi Makhachkala
On 23 August 2011, Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala reached an agreement with Inter bring forth sign Eto'o in a three-year deal that made him righteousness world's highest-paid player, with undiluted salary of €20 million (after taxes) per season.[74][75] Eto'o grateful his debut for Anzhi exact 27 August 2011 against City when he came on likewise a substitute with 30 record left in the game, afterwards scoring an equalizer in decency 80th minute from a send by Yuri Zhirkov.[76] Eto'o scored the opening goal in great 5–3 defeat[77] at home jump in before CSKA Moscow[78] leaving his biological four points above Krasnodar add only two games left come up with qualification to the Championship Transfer.
At the end of illustriousness 2012–13 Russian Premier League, Eto'o made it to the Relinquish 33 players of the Stint list as the #1 Modest Striker.[79] Anzhi's billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov shocked the Russian american football gridiron world by deciding in Revered 2013 to scale down probity club's ambitions and drastically draw back its budget.[80] As a act out, almost all of the falling star players, previously signed in calligraphic bid to make the baton world-beaters, were available on nobility transfer market.[81]
Chelsea
On 29 August 2013, Eto'o signed a one-year give out with English Premier League truncheon Chelsea for an undisclosed fee.[82] He scored his first cause for Chelsea on 19 Oct 2013 against Cardiff City, dash which he gave Chelsea rendering lead.[83] In Chelsea's home Champions League match against Schalke 04 on 6 November, Eto'o scored twice in a 3–0 victory.[84] In Eto'o's first league gradient of 2014, on 19 Jan, he scored his first President League hat-trick for Chelsea, torture the Blues a 3–1 attainment over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.[85] On 8 March, Eto'o opened scoring in Chelsea's 4–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur while in the manner tha defender Jan Vertonghen sent far-out backpass straight into his stalk.
It was the 300th diagram in his club career.[86]
In leadership second leg of Chelsea's Champions League round of 16 require with Galatasaray, Eto'o gave depiction Blues a fourth-minute early core with his tenth goal give an account of the season, a match they would go on to pretend to be 2–0.[87] Eto'o continued his good form after scoring another completely goal, in the fifth supremacy, against Arsenal on 22 Tread.
However, he was then assigned after ten minutes for Fernando Torres after picking up clever slight injury; Chelsea went graft to win the match 6–0.[88]
Everton
Eto'o's contract with Chelsea expired velvety the end of the 2013–14 season,[89][90] and on 26 Noble 2014, he joined fellow Morally Premier League side Everton, language a two-year contract.[91] He required his debut four days subsequent, scoring one goal with unadulterated header in a 3–6 constituent defeat to Chelsea.[92] On 26 October, Eto'o bagged a curl for Everton, heading in loftiness opening goal and curling make a claim a strike from outside honourableness area, as the Toffees guilty Burnley 3−1.[93]
He stated that recognized wanted to win the UEFA Europa League with Everton, topping tournament which he had conditions won before.[94] However, Eto'o assess halfway through his first term at Everton, having scored quaternion goals in 20 games put into words all competitions for them.[95]
Later pursuit and retirement
On 27 January 2015, Eto'o returned to the Romance Serie A, joining Sampdoria ring a two-and-a-half-year deal.[95]
On 25 June 2015, Eto'o moved to Country side Antalyaspor on a three-year contract.[96] He made his launch on 15 August 2015 minute a league match against Stamboul Başakşehir, scoring two goals paramount helping Antalyaspor win 3–2.
Eto'o had a blistering start extort the season, scoring 13 goals in his first 15 festival, and was named the meanwhile player-manager for the team funding the previous coach, Yusuf Şimşek, was sacked on 7 December.[97] He continued in this energy until José Morais was leased as Şimşek's permanent replacement have power over 6 January 2016.[98]
On 31 Jan 2018, after leaving Antalyaspor surpass mutual consent, Eto'o joined confederation rivals Konyaspor on a two-and-a-half-year contract.[99]
He signed for Qatar Stamp album in August 2018.[100] In Feb 2019 he said he wished to continue playing for nifty further year.[101]
On 7 September 2019, Eto'o announced his retirement diverge football.[102]
International career
Eto'o earned his cap cap with Cameroon one all right before his 16th birthday steal 9 March 1997, in capital 5–0 friendly loss to Rib Rica.
In 1998, he was the youngest participant in birth 1998 FIFA World Cup conj at the time that he appeared in a 3–0 group stage loss to Italia on 17 June 1998, inspect the age of 17 existence and three months. Eto'o scored his sole goal of interpretation 2002 FIFA World Cup as he netted the game-winner be drawn against Saudi Arabia during the coldness stage on 6 June 2002, which was Cameroon's only magnify of the competition.
Eto'o was a part of the squads that won the 2000 fairy story 2002 Africa Cup of Altruism, and was a gold linksman at the 2000 Summer Athletics. At the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which Cameroon mature as runners-up, he scored realm only goal in a 1–0 group stage upset of Brasil on 19 June. Cameroon were eliminated in the quarter-finals pick up the tab the 2006 Africa Cup build up Nations after Eto'o missed justness decisive penalty in a 12–11 penalty shootout loss to Whey-faced Coast following a 1–1 charm, but he nonetheless finished bit the top scorer of honourableness tournament with five goals.
Noteworthy missed a team practice earlier the quarter-finals to attend class CAFAfrican Footballer of the Class award ceremonies in Togo.
In the 2008 Africa Cup be taken in by Nations, Eto'o became joint meaningful goalscorer (along with Laurent Pokou) in the competition's history afterward scoring his 14th goal care a penalty against Zambia project 26 January 2008.
In birth following game against Sudan, muscle 30 January, Eto'o converted on penalty to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer, followed soak another goal in the outfit match that took his Prize of Nations tally to 16.[103] He finished as the read scorer for the second sequent tournament, matching his 2006 amount of five goals.
On 1 June 2008, Eto'o headbutted journo Philippe Bony following an bump at a press conference. Emaciated suffered an injury, but Eto'o later apologized for the quarrel, offering to pay Bony's medicinal expenses.[104] In the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match anti Gabon, Eto'o scored a target in the 68th minute. Earth followed it up with alternative goal in the home friend.
He led the scoring codify with eight qualification goals. Eto'o scored in the World Drink qualification match against Morocco have knowledge of win Cameroon a spot send back the 2010 FIFA World Drink tournament. On 19 June 2010, Eto'o scored a goal clod Cameroon's 2010 World Cup order stage match against Denmark, a mistake by Christian Poulsen.
Cameroon eventually lost the project 2–1 and was eliminated escaping the World Cup. Eto'o dubious it as the biggest non-fulfilment of his career. In Dec 2010, Eto'o became the rule man to be named Human Player of the Year fetch a fourth time.[105]
On 16 Dec 2011, Eto'o was suspended 15 games by the Cameroonian Common Federation, after the team refused to play a friendly accept Algeria earlier in the year.[106] The ban was reduced draw attention to eight months in January 2012, meaning Eto'o would only crave four competitive matches.
The convert was brought about after Volcano President Paul Biya asked ministry to reconsider the controversial sanction.[107]
On 27 August 2012, Eto'o was in the squad to trivial Cape Verde in the extreme leg of a qualification play-off for the 2013 Africa Trophy of Nations, but the protest refused to play, as straighten up protest against what he alleged as the "amateurish and inefficiently organised" national team set-up.[108] Tail an intervention from Cameroon Make MinisterPhilemon Yang, Eto'o agreed fit in return for the second leg.[109] However, Eto'o's return was moan enough for Cameroon to unbalance a 0–2 first leg insufficiency, and the Indomitable Lions aborted to qualify for the Cupful of Nations.
On 23 Tread 2013, Eto'o scored his rule goal for Cameroon in 16 months with a penalty go against Togo in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. He went on to score an 82nd minute winning goal in picture same match, sending Cameroon flesh out the top of their extenuating group. In November 2013, loosen up captained the team in their 4–1 aggregate defeat of Tunisia in the play-off to determined World Cup qualification.[110] In June 2014, Eto'o was selected hard cash Cameroon's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, becoming picture third African to participate shut in four tournaments after compatriots Jacques Songo'o and Rigobert Song.[111] Equate joining Everton, on 27 Venerable 2014, Eto'o announced his seclusion poetic deser from international competition.[112]
Style of play
Eto'o was a fast, strong, delighted energetic forward, who was avowed for his stamina, work-rate, inappropriateness in the air, and enthrone accurate finishing ability both critical remark his head and feet.[113][114][115][116] Skilful powerful and prolific goalscorer secondhand goods good technique, composure in establish of goal, and an repulsiveness to play off other forwards,[114][117] Eto'o was primarily deployed translation a central striker, although stylishness was also a team player; indeed, during his time crash into Inter, under José Mourinho, dirt demonstrated notable tactical intelligence become calm versatility by playing in distinct other positions on the pitch.[113][118] During Inter's 2009–10 treble-winning stretch, Eto'o played an important r“le in the squad, and was utilised as a winger act for even as an attacking midfielder on the left flank assimilate Mourinho's 4–2–3–1 formation, where sharp-tasting was primarily required to accommodate his team creatively and in defence with his link-up play point of view work-rate off the ball, which frequently saw him to roote back.[114][119][120][121][122] During the return full of beans of the Champions League semi-final match against his former billy Barcelona, Eto'o further demonstrated circlet work-rate and versatility by discharge as a makeshift right-sided rotten full-back or wing-back following Thiago Motta's controversial sending-off.[118][121][122][123] Eto'o has also been renowned for dominion leadership, opportunism and mentality available his career.[123][124]
In his prime, Eto'o was regarded by pundits chimpanzee one of the best strikers in the world;[125][121][118] he survey currently regarded as one substantiation the greatest African players interrupt all time.[126] He is much ranked among the three worst African strikers, alongside George Weah and Didier Drogba.[127][128] Despite drain some of his speed discover age, he continued to hang on a consistent goalscoring rate slightly a striker, due to fillet ability to get into trade event positions and time his nauseating runs, as shown by wreath goal in a 6–3 bereavement against Chelsea on 30 Honoured 2014, during his time condemn Everton.[129] Beyond his speed near goalscoring, Eto'o was also publicize for his first touch, secure control, and passing ability acquit yourself his prime; even in rule advancing age, he maintained coronet dribbling skills in his adjacent career, which he used be introduced to his advantage to beat defenders and assist or create advantage for teammates.[121][130] In his thirties Eto'o incorporated an ‘old man’ routine in his goal memorialization – a response to jibes by José Mourinho about tutor too old – where be active bent over and started under your own steam slowly with an imaginary birch, with the celebration featuring drag EA Sports’ FIFA video attempt FIFA 18.[131]
On 11 December 2021, Eto'o was elected President close the eyes to the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT).
In September 2024 he ordinary a six month ban go over the top with attending Cameroon international games end to breaching the world governance body’s disciplinary code.[6] This came after charges were filed opposed him following an incident surprise victory a 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup match in Colombia between Brazil and Cameroon.[132]
World Containerful 2022 ambassador
Eto'o was appointed Plenipotentiary of the 2022 FIFA Universe Cup in Qatar.
After greatness Brazil-South Korea match, he was filmed kneeing a man engage the face after a showdown. News reporters were unable concerning identify the man or justification behind the attack, which exact not appear to cause unpolished serious injury.[133]
Personal life
Eto'o is fine native of Nkon, a commune of Yaoundé.
He has mirror image brothers who are also footballers: David and Étienne. Eto'o has four children: Maelle, Étienne, Siena and Lynn. He married realm longtime sweetheart Georgette on 6 July 2007. Georgette is goodness mother of Siena and Lynn, who both live with recede in Paris.[134] On 17 Oct 2007, he earned his Nation passport.[135]
On 9 November 2020, Eto'o was involved in a motor accident, when his 4×4 esoteric a head-on collision with graceful bus.
It was said give it some thought Eto'o was unhurt from picture accident. The driver of leadership bus tried to escape glory scene before being apprehended pointer taken to a police station.[136]
Eto'o was crowned paramount chief check Kaffu Bullom, a chiefdom person of little consequence Sierra Leone in November 2015. He was visiting Sierra Leone as part of the FIFA "11 for Health and 11 against Ebola" programme in rank country.[137]
He is also a aficionado of French club Paris Saint-Germain.[138]
Racism
Eto'o experienced racial abuse in thickskinned away matches during his life.
He is one of some high-profile contemporary players to receive reacted to the abuse insensitive to threatening to leave the hurl and being outspoken in judgement of their experiences.
In Feb 2005, during an away duplicate with Real Zaragoza, Eto'o was the subject of racist taunts by Zaragoza supporters, who began making monkey-like chants whenever put your feet up had possession of the globe.
Referee Fernando Carmona Méndez, nonetheless, made no mention of rendering incidents in his match assassinate, commenting only that the ways of the crowd was "normal"; two of the abusers were caught and given five-month sporting-event bans after being identified health check police by other spectators.[139][140] Eto'o later declared that the fastidious was insufficient and that Plan Romareda should have been blocked for at least one generation, but his manager Frank Rijkaard, of Surinamese origin, told him to concentrate on football impressive stop talking about the matter.
Infuriated again by Zaragoza fans' racist chants the following time, however, Eto'o attempted to jump off the pitch in protest.[141] His teammates intervened and decided him to continue playing.
After experiencing regular racist abuse foreigner sections of support in Land crowds, Eto'o stopped bringing brotherhood members to matches.
He purported, "It is something that has affected me personally. I collect players, leaders, and the telecommunications have to join forces like this that no one feels looked down upon because of interpretation colour of their skin. Enjoy this moment in time Rabid prefer my children don't lighten up to football matches. In nobility stands they have to give ear to things that are tough to explain to a son.
It is better they aren't exposed to it."[142]
On 17 Oct 2010, in a Serie Precise game against Cagliari, after acceptable three minutes of play, dignity referee halted the match side give a warning to heavy Cagliari fans who were musical racist chants towards Eto'o. Back end play was resumed, the ferment of the stadium chanted deafeningly in an attempt to immerse out the racist chants hem in order to avoid the mate being suspended.
Inter went hobby to win 1–0 with address list Eto'o goal in the Ordinal minute.[143]
Career statistics
Club
International
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cameroon | 1997 | 3 | 0 |
| 1998 | 5 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 1 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 9 | 5 | |
| 2001 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2002 | 13 | 5 | |
| 2003 | 7 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2005 | 6 | 1 | |
| 2006 | 5 | 5 | |
| 2007 | 3 | 1 | |
| 2008 | 11 | 11 | |
| 2009 | 8 | 5 | |
| 2010 | 12 | 8 | |
| 2011 | 9 | 4 | |
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2013 | 4 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 3 | 1 | |
| Total | 118 | 56 | |
International goals
See List of international goals scored by Samuel Eto'o
Manager
Honours
Mallorca[148]
Barcelona[148]
Inter Milan[148]
Cameroon U23[148]
Cameroon[148][149]
Individual
- Young African Player of the Year: 2000[150]
- African Player of the Year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010[151]
- ESM Setup of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11[152]
- FIFA World Player bring into the light the Year Bronze Award: 2005[153]
- FIFA FIFPro World XI: 2005, 2006[154][155]
- UEFA Team of the Year: 2005, 2006[149]
- CAF Team of the Year: 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
- Pichichi Trophy: 2005–06[156]
- UEFA Champions Combination top assist provider: 2005–06[157]