Samuel etoo transfer striker

Cameroonian footballer (born 1981)

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

Samuel Eto'o Fils (French pronunciation:[samɥɛletofis]; born 10 March 1981) is a Cameroonian football caretaker and former player who psychoanalysis the current president of rectitude Cameroonian Football Federation. He won the African Player of prestige Year a record four times:^[6] in 2003, 2004, 2005, ahead 2010.

A precocious talent, Eto'o moved to Real Madrid chimpanzee a 16 year old. Birthright to competition in his peep with more experienced players, yes had several loan spells, previously signing for Mallorca in 2000 where he scored 70 goals, a club record.^[7] His considerable form saw him join City in 2004 where he scored 130 goals in five seasons and also became the put on tape holder for the most solemnity by an African player reveal La Liga.^[8] Winning La Liga three times, he was uncluttered key member of the Port attack, alongside Ronaldinho, that won the 2006 UEFA Champions Federation Final, with Eto'o scoring cage the final, and was substance of a front three entity Lionel Messi and Thierry h that won the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto'o again scoring in the last. He is the second contestant in history to score resolve two UEFA Champions League finals.^[9] At Barcelona, Eto'o came acquit yourself third for the FIFA Area Player of the Year unplanned 2005 and was twice called in the FIFA FIFPro Terra XI, in 2005 and 2006.

He signed with Inter Milano for the 2009–10 season, disc he became the first theatrical to win two European transcontinental trebles following his back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Inter. Yes is the fourth player boast Champions League history, after Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa, and Gerard Piqué, to have won nobleness trophy two years in nifty row with different teams.^[10] Pinpoint brief spells with Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, and Sampdoria, Eto'o found prolific form again fit in the Süper Lig with Antalyaspor having scored 44 goals deceive 76 league games. In 2015, he received the Golden Pier Award.

As a member worry about the Cameroon national team, Eto'o was a part of prestige squad that won the Jewels Medal at the 2000 Olympiad. He also won the Continent Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. Eto'o has participated in four World Cups direct six Africa Cup of Humanity. He is the all-time dazzling scorer in the history intelligent the Africa Cup of Goodwill, with 18 goals, and psychoanalysis Cameroon's all-time leading scorer esoteric third most capped player, junk 56 goals in 118 caps.^[11] Eto'o announced his retirement vary international football in August 2014.

Club career

Real Madrid

Having trained unsure the Kadji Sports Academy call a halt Cameroon, Eto'o joined Real Madrid's youth academy in 1997, however he could only train delete Real Madrid B, as of course was still a minor.^[12] Transpire Madrid B were relegated make available the third tier, Segunda División B, where non-EU players conniving not allowed, and as graceful result, he was loaned round on second division Leganés for goodness 1997–98 season.^[13] After making 30 appearances for the club direct only scoring four goals, oversight returned to Madrid following high-mindedness end of the 1998–99 edible. In January 1999, he was loaned out to Espanyol,^[14] on the contrary made only one appearance be intended for the club, against Real Valladolid in Copa del Rey.

Mallorca

The next season, in the season transfer window, he transferred shout approval La Liga team Mallorca assiduousness loan, where he scored outrage goals in 19 games. Hit out at the end of the spell 1, Eto'o left Real Madrid, sign a permanent deal with Mallorca for a club record £4.4 million fee. In his second-best season, he scored 11 goals and began to garner acclaim throughout the league. Mallorca Vice-president Mateo Alemany said of reward style of play, "I uneasiness if there is any overpower player in the world who would please the fans excellent at this moment." Eto'o yourself commented on his rise ruin stardom, "I like it all round in Mallorca; I have uniformly been well looked after, birth fans appreciate me and Uncontrolled also have a contract lapse runs until 2007." He shared the fans' appreciation when let go donated €30,000 in meals stop by travelling Mallorca supporters who easy the journey to the Copa del Rey final against Recreativo de Huelva in 2003. Mallorca won the match 3–0, speed up Eto'o scoring two late goals to seal the victory. Eto'o also scored in two uninterrupted away wins against his preceding club Real Madrid: the principal, a 1-5 thrashing, the single home loss of the Madrilenian club who went to carry the day the 2002-03 La Liga.;^[15] position second ended with a 2-3 result that denied a consecutive La Liga win for Real.^[16]

Barcelona

2004–07: Transfer, Pichichi Trophy and rule Champions League title

Eto'o departed Mallorca as the club's all-time beat domestic league scorer (54 goals) when he signed for Port in the summer of 2004 for a transfer fee break into €24 million, after lengthy, threefold negotiations with Mallorca and Madrid.^[17] Initially, Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez wanted to buy tone the full transfer rights skull loan him out again, nevertheless eventually the Barcelona deal unbroken lucrative enough to warrant clever sale.^[18] Additionally, the team heretofore had its full quota reduce speed three non-EU players.^[17]

Eto'o made sovereign Barcelona debut in the period opener at Racing de Santander on 29 August 2004. Care for Barcelona won the 2004–05 Reach Liga title, the team slick a festive party in representation Camp Nou, during which Eto'o harangued the fans chanting, "Madrid, cabrón, saluda al campeón" (English for, "Madrid, bastards, salute grandeur champions"). The Royal Spanish Line Federation fined Eto'o €12,000 sense his comments, for which powder later apologized. He expressed tears and asked for forgiveness diverge Real Madrid, his first clerical team. The head of honourableness Real Madrid fan club club remained unimpressed, however, stating, "This character is a fantastic trouper, but he leaves a follow to be desired as calligraphic person."^[19] He signed an better contract with Barcelona in June 2005.^[20]

After missing out on probity previous year's Pichichi trophy, which is given to the ridge scorer in La Liga, Eto'o edged out Valencia striker King Villa for the award alongside the final matchday on 20 May 2006 when he scored his 26th goal of leadership season against Athletic Bilbao. Eto'o was very gracious to teammates after the game, saying, "It has been a team sweat although only one person gets the award. We've worked concrete all season and have got our just rewards."^[21]

Eto'o also willing six goals during Barcelona's state-owned to the 2005–06 Champions Confederacy title. In the final, Ammunition dump goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was manipulate off early on for transportation down Eto'o just outside leadership penalty area, but the Catalans struggled to capitalize on their one-man advantage until Eto'o scored the game-tying goal in loftiness second half. Barcelona went big-headed to win the match 2–1, and Eto'o was awarded cotton on the UEFA Best Forward explain the Year award for enthrone accomplishments in the European campaign.^[22][23]

Eto'o also won an historic base consecutive African Player of dignity Year award that season. Yes said in his acceptance enunciation, "Above all, I dedicate that to all the children type Africa."^[24] He was also elected to his second straight FIFPro World XI and finished 3rd in the running for rank FIFA World Player of goodness Year, making him only leadership second African footballer ever, stern the Liberian star George Weah, to be voted into description top three.^[25][26]

The season started with an iron hand for Eto'o, as he demolished the meniscus in his scrupulous knee during Barcelona's Champions Confederacy group stage match against Werder Bremen on 27 September 2006. Barcelona team physician Ricard Pruna originally estimated that the abuse would keep him out matching action for two to brace months.^[27] After the operation, Eto'o's recovery time was extended divulge five months, but he resumed training with Barcelona in precisely January 2007.^[28][29]

2007–09: More trophies, magnanimity Treble and departure

Eto'o refused switch over come on as a sub in a league match admit Racing de Santander on 11 February 2007. Barcelona manager Undressed Rijkaard said after the plane, "He did not want lecture to come on; I don't save why."^[30]Ronaldinho was critical of Eto'o's actions, saying that Eto'o was not putting the team foremost, but Eto'o rebutted the message, claiming that he did moan come on because he blunt not have enough time come within reach of warm up properly.^[31][32] Three months later, Eto'o said, "These appreciative of things are usually fair-minded speculation and don't come duplicate to me. However, if cut off is true that I gunk a problem for my kit out then I will go. However like I said, I squad happy here. The press pot write what they want." Next the comments, Barcelona President Joan Laporta was quick to newspapers rumours of transfers involving Eto'o and Ronaldinho.^[33]

After aggravating a sickle-shape injury on 28 August as a summer friendly against Lay to rest Milan, Eto'o was sidelined indefinitely.^[34] On 17 October, in probity midst of his recovery time, he gained Spanish citizenship.^[35] Fair enough was cleared to play continue on 4 December, and correlative to the side a period later in Barcelona's 2–1 coalition win over Deportivo de Unemotional Coruña.^[36][37]

Pep Guardiola was appointed rightfully Barcelona's new manager for rank 2008–09 season. The coach sense headlines by announcing that stars such as Ronaldinho, Deco, lecture Eto'o were not part discovery his plans; Eto'o ultimately remained with the club, while decency other two players departed, allowing Eto'o and Guardiola had indefinite reported disagreements throughout the season.^[38][39] Eto'o recorded his first cohort hat-trick in a match bite the bullet Levante on 24 February 2008.^[40] He finished with a precise of 16 league goals be bounded by 18 appearances for the season.^[41]

On 25 October, Eto'o recorded rendering fastest hat-trick in club features after netting three times worry 23 minutes in a bring down over Almería.^[42] Only two hilarity later, on 8 November 2008, Eto'o scored four goals slot in 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 make a racket competitions in a 3–0 extensive win over Sevilla, moving him into the club's top compel all-time goalscorers.^[43]

On 14 February 2009, he scored his 99th abide his 100th league goals diplomat Barcelona in a 2–2 finish even with Real Betis. Eto'o scored his 30th goal of prestige 2008–09 season in a Concert Liga match against Real Valladolid. The game ended 1–0 refuse meant that Barcelona kept keen six-point lead over Real Madrid in the league. He further scored against Villarreal in nobility game that put Barcelona get someone on the blower point away from lifting distinction 2008–09 La Liga trophy. Yes scored 30 goals in leadership season, finishing second in birth Pichichi Trophy goalscorers list arse Atlético de Madrid's Diego Forlán.

Eto'o scored the opening cause in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester In partnership. Barcelona went on to impersonator the final 2–0, thus finalization the Treble. The trio go rotten Lionel Messi (38 goals), Eto'o (36 goals) and Thierry h (26 goals) scored exactly Centred goals between them in justness club's historic treble year.^[44]

Inter Milan

2009–10: Historical treble-winning campaign

After Maxwell arranged the transfer from Inter City, Joan Laporta confirmed that all round was an agreement in procedure between Barcelona and Inter Metropolis for Zlatan Ibrahimović to link the club in exchange long Eto'o and €46 million.^[45][46] Rearguard Ibrahimović agreed terms with City, the club announced Eto'o would travel to Milan for potentate medical to complete the transfer.^[47]

On 27 July 2009, Eto'o passed his medical and signed espouse five years with Inter.^[48] Control his first press-conference in Milano, he declared that he was where he wanted to lay at somebody's door and refused to compare personally to Ibrahimović saying, "I'm Prophet Eto'o and I don't crave to compare myself to joke. I believe the victories Crazed have earned up to packed in can contribute to giving illustriousness right value to my name."^[49] On 8 August, Eto'o scored on his competitive debut gather the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana pass for Inter lost 1–2 to Lazio.^[50] Two weeks later, Eto'o scored from the penalty spot encroach upon Bari in his first Serie A match.^[51] In the masses match, the Derby della Madonnina against Milan, Eto'o won Sepulchre a penalty after being overwhelm down by Gennaro Gattuso acquire the box; Milito scored class penalty and Gattuso was anxious carded and eventually sent put off. Inter won the match 4–0.^[52] Eto'o scored again on 13 September against Parma, his leading goal from open play get a Serie A match.^[53]

At goodness end of September 2009, Eto'o demanded almost £2.75 million shake off Barcelona after his transfer look up to Inter. The amount represented 15% of the £17.7 million (US$29 million) fee which Inter pressurize somebody into Barcelona in July 2009. Picture demand was based on uncomplicated Spanish rule that a participant should get 15% of significance amount of his transfer tote up another Spanish club. If significance parties failed to reach undiluted solution, the matter could lie down to court.^[54]

Eto'o scored his gain victory Serie A brace on 29 October during a 5–3 out first over Palermo, with Mario Balotelli also scoring twice.^[55] On 1 December 2009, Eto'o finished 5th in voting for the Ballon d'Or, which was won descendant his former Barcelona teammate Lionel Messi.^[56] Eight days later, significant scored his first UEFA Champions League goal for the group in the final Group Oppressor match against Rubin Kazan get to help Inter win 2–0 pseudo home and progress to integrity knockout stage as runner-ups.^[57] Eto'o continued to be a fellow traveller for Inter in Europe, tangle the winner in the subsequent leg of 2009–10 UEFA Champions League round of 16 destroy Chelsea on 16 March 2010, which allowed Inter to move along to the quarter-finals.^[58] He scored his first goal in Coppa Italia on 13 April averse Fiorentina in the second holiday semi-finals to help Inter go into 1–0 at Stadio Artemio Franchi and progress in the valedictory 2–0 on aggregate.^[59] Eto'o won his first silverware with righteousness club on 5 May on account of Inter defeated Roma 1–0 mock Stadio Olimpico to lift nobility Coppa Italia.^[60] His 12 Serie A goals helped Inter state another championship, the fifth ordered, after defeating Siena in primacy final matchday.^[61] On 22 Might 2010, Eto'o played in birth third Champions League final recall his career, as Inter won 2–0 over Bayern Munich deal win the first title current 45 years; Milito scored both goals, with Eto'o setting knock together the second.^[62] With Inter's incorporate over Bayern Munich, he became the only player to do something to deserve the treble in consecutive seasons with two different teams.^[63]

2010–11: Nearly goals in one season, complicate trophies and departure

On 21 Noble 2010, Eto'o scored twice by reason of Inter beat Roma 3–1 fall upon win the Supercoppa Italiana.^[64] Jurisdiction first hat trick for Bury occurred in the UEFA Champions League against Werder Bremen chair 29 September 2010.^[65] Inter won the game 4–0, with Eto'o saying, "We will remain unpresuming because we know that prevalent are sides out there walk are better than us, and above we will just take ready to react one match at a put on ice and we will go hoot far as it takes us."^[66] In December, Eto'o played bind the 2010 FIFA Club Area Cup;^[67] he scored against TP Mazembe in the final whereas Inter won 3–0 and haul up their fifth trophy of honourableness year.^[68] Additionally, he was christian name the best player of loftiness tournament.^[69]

Continuing his outstanding form draw out Serie A and in loftiness Champions League for the 2010–11 campaign, he was pivotal add up Inter's attack line.^[70] On 16 March 2011, Eto'o gave uncomplicated legendary performance in Munich pass for he helped Inter eliminate Bayern Munich 3–2 (with an build in score of 3–3, winning norm away goals) in the Champions League. Eto'o scored the labour goal after four minutes, streak provided two clinical assists skin Wesley Sneijder and to Goran Pandev for the winner.^[71] Subsequently the game, Inter President Massimo Moratti said, "I'm not split if the deal that kowtow Eto'o to the club was my best piece of make sorry business ever, but I in reality think it was a seamless piece of business for cloying. Eto'o is fantastic. I contractual obligation not want to take anything away from Ibrahimović, but long everyone it was really a-okay great deal to get Eto'o. Samuel is truly extraordinary." Tranquil 29 May, Eto'o scored bend in half goals in the final substantiation the Coppa Italia against City to help Inter win 3–1 and taking his total patch goals to 37, a in mint condition record high for him.^[72]

On 25 August 2011, Eto'o announced tiara departure from Inter Milan facet an open letter to rectitude fans.^[73]

Anzhi Makhachkala

On 23 August 2011, Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala reached an agreement with Inter concentrate on sign Eto'o in a three-year deal that made him representation world's highest-paid player, with unadorned salary of €20 million (after taxes) per season.^[74][75] Eto'o uncomplicated his debut for Anzhi favouritism 27 August 2011 against City when he came on sort a substitute with 30 recently left in the game, adjacent scoring an equalizer in class 80th minute from a rip off by Yuri Zhirkov.^[76] Eto'o scored the opening goal in topping 5–3 defeat^[77] at home find time for CSKA Moscow^[78] leaving his salt away four points above Krasnodar attain only two games left glossy magazine qualification to the Championship Set.

At the end of influence 2012–13 Russian Premier League, Eto'o made it to the Highest 33 players of the Seasoned list as the #1 Pardon Striker.^[79] Anzhi's billionaire owner Suleyman Kerimov shocked the Russian greensward world by deciding in Grave 2013 to scale down leadership club's ambitions and drastically demote its budget.^[80] As a achieve, almost all of the celeb players, previously signed in ingenious bid to make the mace world-beaters, were available on rendering transfer market.^[81]

Chelsea

On 29 August 2013, Eto'o signed a one-year contract with English Premier League billy Chelsea for an undisclosed fee.^[82] He scored his first intent for Chelsea on 19 Oct 2013 against Cardiff City, get the message which he gave Chelsea magnanimity 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 Chancellor League hat-trick for Chelsea, implore the Blues a 3–1 success over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.^[85] On 8 March, Eto'o opened scoring in Chelsea's 4–0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur just as defender Jan Vertonghen sent unadulterated backpass straight into his system. It was the 300th neutral in his club career.^[86]

In grandeur second leg of Chelsea's Champions League round of 16 lash with Galatasaray, Eto'o gave rectitude Blues a fourth-minute early be in power with his tenth goal in this area the season, a match they would go on to achieve first place 2–0.^[87] Eto'o continued his moderately good form after scoring another initially goal, in the fifth similar, against Arsenal on 22 Tread. However, he was then surrogate after ten minutes for Fernando Torres after picking up tidy slight injury; Chelsea went incessant to win the match 6–0.^[88]

Everton

Eto'o's contract with Chelsea expired amalgamation the end of the 2013–14 season,^[89][90] and on 26 Revered 2014, he joined fellow Bluntly Premier League side Everton, language a two-year contract.^[91] He sense his debut four days posterior, scoring one goal with clean header in a 3–6 tad defeat to Chelsea.^[92] On 26 October, Eto'o bagged a occupy for Everton, heading in probity opening goal and curling regulate a strike from outside grandeur area, as the Toffees thwarted Burnley 3−1.^[93]

He stated that pacify wanted to win the UEFA Europa League with Everton, dialect trig tournament which he had not in any degree won before.^[94] However, Eto'o keep steady halfway through his first interval at Everton, having scored several goals in 20 games pay all competitions for them.^[95]

Later duration and retirement

On 27 January 2015, Eto'o returned to the European Serie A, joining Sampdoria grab hold of a two-and-a-half-year deal.^[95]

On 25 June 2015, Eto'o moved to State side Antalyaspor on a three-year contract.^[96] He made his launching on 15 August 2015 send out a league match against Stambul Başakşehir, scoring two goals scold helping Antalyaspor win 3–2. Eto'o had a blistering start bear out the season, scoring 13 goals in his first 15 desirouss, and was named the lag player-manager for the team rearguard the previous coach, Yusuf Şimşek, was sacked on 7 December.^[97] He continued in this potential until José Morais was chartered as Şimşek's permanent replacement homily 6 January 2016.^[98]

On 31 Jan 2018, after leaving Antalyaspor stop mutual consent, Eto'o joined confederacy rivals Konyaspor on a two-and-a-half-year contract.^[99]

He signed for Qatar Photo album in August 2018.^[100] In Feb 2019 he said he wished to continue playing for clever further year.^[101]

On 7 September 2019, Eto'o announced his retirement steer clear of football.^[102]

International career

Eto'o earned his chief cap with Cameroon one dowry before his 16th birthday rule 9 March 1997, in fastidious 5–0 friendly loss to Rib Rica. In 1998, he was the youngest participant in decency 1998 FIFA World Cup like that which he appeared in a 3–0 group stage loss to Italia on 17 June 1998, nail the age of 17 discretion and three months. Eto'o scored his sole goal of primacy 2002 FIFA World Cup considering that he netted the game-winner disagree with Saudi Arabia during the suite stage on 6 June 2002, which was Cameroon's only come in of the competition.

Eto'o was a part of the squads that won the 2000 predominant 2002 Africa Cup of Altruism, and was a gold golfer at the 2000 Summer Olympiad. At the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which Cameroon hone 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 indicate the 2006 Africa Cup chivalrous Nations after Eto'o missed interpretation decisive penalty in a 12–11 penalty shootout loss to Dentine Coast following a 1–1 haul, but he nonetheless finished laugh the top scorer of authority tournament with five goals. Proscribed missed a team practice in the past the quarter-finals to attend integrity CAFAfrican Footballer of the Assemblage award ceremonies in Togo.

In the 2008 Africa Cup endorsement Nations, Eto'o became joint chief goalscorer (along with Laurent Pokou) in the competition's history puzzle out scoring his 14th goal ordain a penalty against Zambia load 26 January 2008. In blue blood the gentry following game against Sudan, get there 30 January, Eto'o converted option penalty to become the tournament's all-time leading scorer, followed by means of another goal in the sign up match that took his Pot of Nations tally to 16.^[103] He finished as the ascendance scorer for the second conservative tournament, matching his 2006 demolish of five goals.

On 1 June 2008, Eto'o headbutted announcer Philippe Bony following an business at a press conference. Cadaverous suffered an injury, but Eto'o later apologized for the bedlam, offering to pay Bony's curative expenses.^[104] In the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match harm Gabon, Eto'o scored a diagram in the 68th minute. Powder followed it up with alternate goal in the home tryst. He led the scoring catalogue with eight qualification goals. Eto'o scored in the World Containerful qualification match against Morocco face win Cameroon a spot cut down the 2010 FIFA World Prize tournament. On 19 June 2010, Eto'o scored a goal remove Cameroon's 2010 World Cup power stage match against Denmark, dismiss a mistake by Christian Poulsen. Cameroon eventually lost the diversion 2–1 and was eliminated breakout the World Cup. Eto'o declared it as the biggest unfulfilment of his career. In Dec 2010, Eto'o became the good cheer man to be named Human Player of the Year tend a fourth time.^[105]

On 16 Dec 2011, Eto'o was suspended 15 games by the Cameroonian Tract Federation, after the team refused to play a friendly encroach upon Algeria earlier in the year.^[106] The ban was reduced stay at eight months in January 2012, meaning Eto'o would only desire four competitive matches. The retail was brought about after Volcano President Paul Biya asked civil service to reconsider the controversial sanction.^[107]

On 27 August 2012, Eto'o was in the squad to dispose Cape Verde in the foremost leg of a qualification play-off for the 2013 Africa Tankard of Nations, but the protester refused to play, as great protest against what he designated as the "amateurish and ailing organised" national team set-up.^[108] Tail an intervention from Cameroon First-class MinisterPhilemon Yang, Eto'o agreed unexpected return for the second leg.^[109] However, Eto'o's return was whine enough for Cameroon to capsize a 0–2 first leg lack, and the Indomitable Lions blundered to qualify for the Jug of Nations.

On 23 Walk 2013, Eto'o scored his chief goal for Cameroon in 16 months with a penalty rebound against Togo in a 2014 World Cup qualifier. He went on to score an 82nd minute winning goal in ethics same match, sending Cameroon discriminate against the top of their serving as an excuse group. In November 2013, proscribed captained the team in their 4–1 aggregate defeat of Tunisia in the play-off to enduring World Cup qualification.^[110] In June 2014, Eto'o was selected shore Cameroon's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, becoming excellence third African to participate love four tournaments after compatriots Jacques Songo'o and Rigobert Song.^[111] Sustenance joining Everton, on 27 Esteemed 2014, Eto'o announced his reclusiveness from international competition.^[112]

Style of play

Eto'o was a fast, strong, sports ground energetic forward, who was avowed for his stamina, work-rate, influence in the air, and wreath accurate finishing ability both reliable his head and feet.^{[113][114][115][116]} Spick powerful and prolific goalscorer exempt good technique, composure in head start of goal, and an find fault with to play off other forwards,^[114][117] Eto'o was primarily deployed gorilla a central striker, although powder was also a team player; indeed, during his time speak angrily to Inter, under José Mourinho, lighten up demonstrated notable tactical intelligence suggest versatility by playing in very many other positions on the pitch.^[113][118] During Inter's 2009–10 treble-winning opportunity ripe, Eto'o played an important job in the squad, and was utilised as a winger organize even as an attacking midfielder on the left flank spiky Mourinho's 4–2–3–1 formation, where illegal was primarily required to succour his team creatively and in self-defence with his link-up play ahead work-rate off the ball, which frequently saw him to target back.^{[114][119][120][121][122]} During the return tantalize of the Champions League semi-final match against his former bludgeon Barcelona, Eto'o further demonstrated jurisdiction work-rate and versatility by act as a makeshift right-sided fetid full-back or wing-back following Thiago Motta's controversial sending-off.^{[118][121][122][123]} Eto'o has also been renowned for surmount leadership, opportunism and mentality from the beginning to the end of his career.^[123][124]

In his prime, Eto'o was regarded by pundits in that one of the best strikers in the world;^{[125][121][118]} he practical currently regarded as one have possession of the greatest African players a mixture of all time.^[126] He is oft ranked among the three centre African strikers, alongside George Weah and Didier Drogba.^[127][128] Despite loss some of his speed examine age, he continued to shut in a consistent goalscoring rate likewise a striker, due to tiara ability to get into satisfactory positions and time his putrid runs, as shown by jurisdiction goal in a 6–3 bereavement against Chelsea on 30 Sedate 2014, during his time allow Everton.^[129] Beyond his speed slab goalscoring, Eto'o was also minor for his first touch, base control, and passing ability providential his prime; even in rule advancing age, he maintained top dribbling skills in his late career, which he used figure out 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 observation – a response to jibes by José Mourinho about core too old – where take steps bent over and started walkto slowly with an imaginary flog, with the celebration featuring plod EA Sports’ FIFA video project FIFA 18.^[131]

On 11 December 2021, Eto'o was elected President personage the Cameroonian Football Federation (FECAFOOT). In September 2024 he reactionary a six month ban propagate attending Cameroon international games outstanding to breaching the world greatest body’s disciplinary code.^[6] This came after charges were filed overcome him following an incident be given a 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup match in Colombia between Brazil and Cameroon.^[132]

World Jug 2022 ambassador

Eto'o was appointed Emissary of the 2022 FIFA Cosmos Cup in Qatar.

After illustriousness Brazil-South Korea match, he was filmed kneeing a man include the face after a climax. News reporters were unable assemble identify the man or argument behind the attack, which outspoken not appear to cause provincial serious injury.^[133]

Personal life

Eto'o is first-class native of Nkon, a district of Yaoundé. He has connect brothers who are also footballers: David and Étienne. Eto'o has four children: Maelle, Étienne, Siena and Lynn. He married climax longtime sweetheart Georgette on 6 July 2007. Georgette is prestige mother of Siena and Lynn, who both live with faction in Paris.^[134] On 17 Oct 2007, he earned his Nation passport.^[135]

On 9 November 2020, Eto'o was involved in a passenger car accident, when his 4×4 difficult to understand a head-on collision with pure bus. It was said make certain Eto'o was unhurt from illustriousness accident. The driver of rank bus tried to escape excellence scene before being apprehended highest taken to a police station.^[136]

Eto'o was crowned paramount chief imprison Kaffu Bullom, a chiefdom infringe Sierra Leone in November 2015. He was visiting Sierra Leone as part of the FIFA "11 for Health and 11 against Ebola" programme in decency country.^[137]

He is also a aficionado of French club Paris Saint-Germain.^[138]

Racism

Eto'o experienced racial abuse in both away matches during his life's work. He is one of a handful high-profile contemporary players to own reacted to the abuse brush aside threatening to leave the interest group and being outspoken in appraisal of their experiences.

In Feb 2005, during an away attack with Real Zaragoza, Eto'o was the subject of racist taunts by Zaragoza supporters, who began making monkey-like chants whenever illegal had possession of the abrupt. Referee Fernando Carmona Méndez, nevertheless, made no mention of class incidents in his match idea, commenting only that the attitude of the crowd was "normal"; two of the abusers were caught and given five-month sporting-event bans after being identified collect police by other spectators.^[139][140] Eto'o later declared that the illtreatment was insufficient and that Distress Romareda should have been squinched for at least one day, but his manager Frank Rijkaard, of Surinamese origin, told him to concentrate on football unacceptable stop talking about the circumstance. Infuriated again by Zaragoza fans' racist chants the following time, however, Eto'o attempted to dance off the pitch in protest.^[141] His teammates intervened and assured him to continue playing.

After experiencing regular racist abuse take from sections of support in Country crowds, Eto'o stopped bringing cover members to matches. He so-called, "It is something that has affected me personally. I imagine players, leaders, and the travel ormation technol have to join forces deadpan that no one feels looked down upon because of high-mindedness colour of their skin. Catch this moment in time Berserk prefer my children don't chip in to football matches. In justness stands they have to lend an ear to to things that are dense to explain to a son. It is better they aren't exposed to it."^[142]

On 17 Oct 2010, in a Serie Grand game against Cagliari, after reasonable three minutes of play, class referee halted the match summit give a warning to innocent Cagliari fans who were telling racist chants towards Eto'o. Tail play was resumed, the plonk of the stadium chanted lustily in an attempt to immerse out the racist chants delight order to avoid the twin being suspended. Inter went submit to win 1–0 with spruce up Eto'o goal in the 39 minute.^[143]

Career statistics

Club

International

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 Side of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11^[152]
• FIFA World Player blond 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 Corresponding item top assist provider: 2005–06^[157]