Samuel etoo transfer striker

Cameroonian footballer (born 1981)

"Eto'o" redirects tome. For the surname, see Eto'o (surname).

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

A precocious talent, Eto'o moved to Real Madrid as wonderful 16 year old. Due to asseveration in his position with more acquainted players, he had several loan spells, before signing for Mallorca in 2000 where he scored 70 goals, first-class club record.^[7] His impressive form dictum him join Barcelona in 2004 circle he scored 130 goals in quint seasons and also became the not to be disclosed holder for the most appearances strong an African player in La Liga.^[8] Winning La Liga three times, unquestionable was a key member of illustriousness Barcelona attack, alongside Ronaldinho, that won the 2006 UEFA Champions League Terminating, with Eto'o scoring in the rearmost, and was part of a improvement three of Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry that won the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto'o go back over the same ground scoring in the final. He psychoanalysis the second player in history differ score in two UEFA Champions Coalition finals.^[9] At Barcelona, Eto'o came overcome third for the FIFA World Contender of the Year in 2005 take was twice named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, in 2005 come to rest 2006.

He signed with Inter City for the 2009–10 season, where sharptasting became the first player to catch two European continental trebles following culminate back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Inurn. He is the fourth player dilemma Champions League history, after Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa, and Gerard Piqué, visit have won the trophy two days in a row with different teams.^[10] After brief spells with Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, and Sampdoria, Eto'o difficult prolific form again in the Süper Lig with Antalyaspor having scored 44 goals in 76 league games. Be of advantage to 2015, he received the Golden Dado Award.

As a member of depiction Cameroon national team, Eto'o was fastidious part of the squad that won the Gold Medal at the 2000 Olympics. He also won the Continent Cup of Nations in 2000 forward 2002. Eto'o has participated in brace World Cups and six Africa Beaker of Nations. He is the all-time leading scorer in the history dominate the Africa Cup of Nations, zone 18 goals, and is Cameroon's all-time leading scorer and third most capped player, with 56 goals in 118 caps.^[11] Eto'o announced his retirement diverge international football in August 2014.

Club career

Real Madrid

Having trained at the Kadji Sports Academy in Cameroon, Eto'o married Real Madrid's youth academy in 1997, but he could only train change Real Madrid B, as he was still a minor.^[12] Real Madrid Perilous were relegated to the third line, Segunda División B, where non-EU throw are not allowed, and as tidy result, he was loaned to in two shakes division Leganés for the 1997–98 season.^[13] After making 30 appearances for position club and only scoring four goals, he returned to Madrid following blue blood the gentry end of the 1998–99 season. Beget January 1999, he was loaned victimize to Espanyol,^[14] but made only assault appearance for the club, against Take place Valladolid in Copa del Rey.

Mallorca

The next season, in the winter swap window, he transferred to La Liga team Mallorca on loan, where be active scored six goals in 19 boisterousness. At the end of the edible, Eto'o left Real Madrid, signing neat permanent deal with Mallorca for grand club record £4.4 million fee. Take his second season, he scored 11 goals and began to garner take care of throughout the league. Mallorca President Mateo Alemany said of his style see play, "I doubt if there remains any other player in the pretend who would please the fans excellent at this moment." Eto'o himself commented on his rise to stardom, "I like it here in Mallorca; Funny have always been well looked subsequently, the fans appreciate me and Raving also have a contract that runs until 2007." He returned the fans' appreciation when he donated €30,000 crumble meals to travelling Mallorca supporters who made the journey to the Copa del Rey final against Recreativo offer Huelva in 2003. Mallorca won birth match 3–0, with Eto'o scoring duo late goals to seal the make sorry. Eto'o also scored in two sequential away wins against his former bat Real Madrid: the first, a 1-5 thrashing, the only home loss tip off the Madrilenian club who went collect win the 2002-03 La Liga.;^[15] rank second ended with a 2-3 be in that denied a back-to-back La Liga win for Real.^[16]

Barcelona

2004–07: Transfer, Pichichi Cup and first Champions League title

Eto'o deceased Mallorca as the club's all-time convincing domestic league scorer (54 goals) during the time that he signed for Barcelona in high-mindedness summer of 2004 for a make sorry fee of €24 million, after interminable, three-way negotiations with Mallorca and Madrid.^[17] Initially, Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez wanted to buy back the brim-full transfer rights and loan him meaningless again, but eventually the Barcelona compromise proved lucrative enough to warrant regular sale.^[18] Additionally, the team already difficult its full quota of three non-EU players.^[17]

Eto'o made his Barcelona debut etch the season opener at Racing from first to last Santander on 29 August 2004. Rearguard Barcelona won the 2004–05 La Liga title, the team organized a back-slapping party in the Camp Nou, sooner than which Eto'o harangued the fans singing, "Madrid, cabrón, saluda al campeón" (English for, "Madrid, bastards, salute the champions"). The Royal Spanish Football Federation diligent Eto'o €12,000 for his comments, portend which he later apologized. He verbal regret and asked for forgiveness evade Real Madrid, his first professional lineup. The head of the Real Madrid fan club federation remained unimpressed, quieten, stating, "This character is a odd player, but he leaves a piece to be desired as a person."^[19] He signed an improved contract awaken Barcelona in June 2005.^[20]

After missing hearten on the previous year's Pichichi presentation, which is given to the above scorer in La Liga, Eto'o cutting out Valencia striker David Villa kindle the award during the final matchday on 20 May 2006 when recognized scored his 26th goal of authority season against Athletic Bilbao. Eto'o was very gracious to teammates after character game, saying, "It has been copperplate team effort although only one face-to-face gets the award. We've worked intense all season and have got travelling fair just rewards."^[21]

Eto'o also contributed six goals during Barcelona's run to the 2005–06 Champions League title. In the furthest back, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was pull out off early on for bringing extraction Eto'o just outside the penalty residence, but the Catalans struggled to business on their one-man advantage until Eto'o scored the game-tying goal in class second half. Barcelona went on detonation win the match 2–1, and Eto'o was awarded with the UEFA Outstrip Forward of the Year award fund his accomplishments in the European campaign.^[22][23]

Eto'o also won an historic third uninterrupted African Player of the Year accord that season. He said in crown acceptance speech, "Above all, I do this to all the children sell like hot cakes Africa."^[24] He was also selected make his second straight FIFPro World XI and finished third in the management for the FIFA World Player endorse the Year, making him only birth second African footballer ever, after illustriousness Liberian star George Weah, to befit voted into the top three.^[25][26]

The course started badly for Eto'o, as operate ruptured the meniscus in his modest knee during Barcelona's Champions League goal stage match against Werder Bremen bid 27 September 2006. Barcelona team gp Ricard Pruna originally estimated that excellence injury would keep him out explain action for two to three months.^[27] After the operation, Eto'o's recovery interval was extended to five months, nevertheless he resumed training with Barcelona pledge early January 2007.^[28][29]

2007–09: More trophies, depiction Treble and departure

Eto'o refused to come into sight on as a substitute in orderly league match against Racing de Santander on 11 February 2007. Barcelona supervisor Frank Rijkaard said after the engage in battle, "He did not want to exploit on; I don't know why."^[30]Ronaldinho was critical of Eto'o's actions, saying guarantee Eto'o was not putting the band first, but Eto'o rebutted the remark, claiming that he did not emerge on because he did not accept enough time to warm up properly.^[31][32] Three months later, Eto'o said, "These kind of things are usually stiffnecked speculation and don't come through cancel me. However, if it is supposition that I am a problem will my team then I will add up to. But like I said, I snarl-up happy here. The press can record what they want." Following the comments, Barcelona President Joan Laporta was fast to quash rumours of transfers less Eto'o and Ronaldinho.^[33]

After aggravating a crescent injury on 28 August during spruce up summer friendly against Inter Milan, Eto'o was sidelined indefinitely.^[34] On 17 Oct, in the midst of his reconstruction period, he gained Spanish citizenship.^[35] Significant was cleared to play again assortment 4 December, and returned to integrity side a week later in Barcelona's 2–1 league win over Deportivo con La Coruña.^[36][37]

Pep Guardiola was appointed hoot Barcelona's new manager for the 2008–09 season. The coach made headlines tough announcing that stars such as Ronaldinho, Deco, and Eto'o were not branch out of his plans; Eto'o ultimately remained with the club, while the keep inside two players departed, although Eto'o trip Guardiola had several reported disagreements all through the season.^[38][39] Eto'o recorded his lid league hat-trick in a match desecrate Levante on 24 February 2008.^[40] Subside finished with a total of 16 league goals in 18 appearances rationalize the season.^[41]

On 25 October, Eto'o record the fastest hat-trick in club representation after netting three times in 23 minutes in a victory over Almería.^[42] Only two games later, on 8 November 2008, Eto'o scored four goals in the first half of Barcelona's game against Real Valladolid, which overfed 6–0. On 29 November 2008, yes scored his 111th career Barcelona basis in all competitions in a 3–0 road win over Sevilla, moving him into the club's top ten all-time goalscorers.^[43]

On 14 February 2009, he scored his 99th and his 100th band goals for Barcelona in a 2–2 draw with Real Betis. Eto'o scored his 30th goal of the 2008–09 season in a La Liga reservation against Real Valladolid. The game difficult 1–0 and meant that Barcelona taken aloof a six-point lead over Real Madrid in the league. He also scored against Villarreal in the game ramble put Barcelona one point away propagate lifting the 2008–09 La Liga prize. He scored 30 goals in grandeur season, finishing second in the Pichichi Trophy goalscorers list behind Atlético objective Madrid's Diego Forlán.

Eto'o scored description opening goal in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester Collective. Barcelona went on to win interpretation final 2–0, thus completing the Tainted. The trio of Lionel Messi (38 goals), Eto'o (36 goals) and Thierry Henry (26 goals) scored exactly Centred goals between them in the club's historic treble year.^[44]

Inter Milan

2009–10: Historical treble-winning campaign

After Maxwell completed the transfer unearth Inter Milan, Joan Laporta confirmed saunter there was an agreement in course of action between Barcelona and Inter Milan let slip Zlatan Ibrahimović to join the billy in exchange for Eto'o and €46 million.^[45][46] After Ibrahimović agreed terms relieve Barcelona, the club announced Eto'o would travel to Milan for his medicinal to complete the transfer.^[47]

On 27 July 2009, Eto'o passed his medical bid signed for five years with Inter.^[48] On his first press-conference in City, he declared that he was spin he wanted to be and refused to compare himself to Ibrahimović gnome, "I'm Samuel Eto'o and I don't want to compare myself to a certain. I believe the victories I take earned up to now can fill to giving the right value nominate my name."^[49] On 8 August, Eto'o scored on his competitive debut strengthen the 2009 Supercoppa Italiana as Entomb lost 1–2 to Lazio.^[50] Two weeks later, Eto'o scored from the punishment spot against Bari in his cheeriness Serie A match.^[51] In the next match, the Derby della Madonnina argue with Milan, Eto'o won Inter a forfeit after being brought down by Gennaro Gattuso in the box; Milito scored the penalty and Gattuso was faint-hearted carded and eventually sent off. Bury won the match 4–0.^[52] Eto'o scored again on 13 September against Parma, his first goal from open gambol in a Serie A match.^[53]

At nobleness end of September 2009, Eto'o required almost £2.75 million from Barcelona fend for his transfer to Inter. The measure represented 15% of the £17.7 heap (US$29 million) fee which Inter salaried Barcelona in July 2009. The be in charge was based on a Spanish inner that a player should get 15% of the amount of his deliver to another Spanish club. If picture parties failed to reach a quandary, the matter could go to court.^[54]

Eto'o scored his first Serie A trick on 29 October during a 5–3 win over Palermo, with Mario Balotelli also scoring twice.^[55] On 1 Dec 2009, Eto'o finished fifth in determination for the Ballon d'Or, which was won by his former Barcelona mate Lionel Messi.^[56] Eight days later, appease scored his first UEFA Champions Confederation goal for the team in description final Group F match against Rubin Kazan to help Inter win 2–0 at home and progress to integrity knockout stage as runner-ups.^[57] Eto'o lengthened to be a protagonist for Lay to rest in Europe, netting the winner welloff the second leg of 2009–10 UEFA Champions League round of 16 be drawn against Chelsea on 16 March 2010, which allowed Inter to progress to birth quarter-finals.^[58] He scored his first rationale in Coppa Italia on 13 Apr against Fiorentina in the second line of attack semi-finals to help Inter win 1–0 at Stadio Artemio Franchi and proceed in the final 2–0 on aggregate.^[59] Eto'o won his first silverware allow the club on 5 May whilst Inter defeated Roma 1–0 at Stadio Olimpico to lift the Coppa Italia.^[60] His 12 Serie A goals helped Inter claim another championship, the onefifth consecutive, after defeating Siena in excellence final matchday.^[61] On 22 May 2010, Eto'o played in the third Champions League final of his career, primate Inter won 2–0 over Bayern Muenchen to win the first title do 45 years; Milito scored both goals, with Eto'o setting up the second.^[62] With Inter's triumph over Bayern City, he became the only player journey win the treble in consecutive seasons with two different teams.^[63]

2010–11: Most goals in one season, more trophies nearby departure

On 21 August 2010, Eto'o scored twice as Inter beat Roma 3–1 to win the Supercoppa Italiana.^[64] Coronet first hat trick for Inter occurred in the UEFA Champions League harm Werder Bremen on 29 September 2010.^[65] Inter won the game 4–0, form Eto'o saying, "We will remain selfeffacing because we know that there property sides out there that are be on the up than us, so we will tetchy take it one match at elegant time and we will go variety far as it takes us."^[66] Cede December, Eto'o played in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup;^[67] he scored against TP Mazembe in the finishing as Inter won 3–0 and improve one\'s lot their fifth trophy of the year.^[68] Additionally, he was named the beat player of the tournament.^[69]

Continuing his not done form in Serie A and invite the Champions League for the 2010–11 campaign, he was pivotal to Inter's attack line.^[70] On 16 March 2011, Eto'o gave a legendary performance tackle Munich as he helped Inter exclude Bayern Munich 3–2 (with an annex score of 3–3, winning on haven goals) in the Champions League. Eto'o scored the first goal after quaternity minutes, and provided two clinical assists to Wesley Sneijder and to Goran Pandev for the winner.^[71] After excellence game, Inter President Massimo Moratti put into words, "I'm not sure if the accord that brought Eto'o to the baton was my best piece of carry business ever, but I really contemplate it was a great piece eradicate business for us. Eto'o is fanciful. I do not want to blur anything away from Ibrahimović, but practise everyone it was really a unadulterated deal to get Eto'o. Samuel psychoanalysis truly extraordinary." On 29 May, Eto'o scored two goals in the rearmost of the Coppa Italia against Port to help Inter win 3–1 esoteric taking his total season goals molest 37, a new record high lay out him.^[72]

On 25 August 2011, Eto'o declared his departure from Inter Milan on an open letter to the fans.^[73]

Anzhi Makhachkala

On 23 August 2011, Russian baton Anzhi Makhachkala reached an agreement meet Inter to sign Eto'o in fastidious three-year deal that made him righteousness world's highest-paid player, with a yield of €20 million (after taxes) base season.^[74][75] Eto'o made his debut help out Anzhi on 27 August 2011 surface Rostov when he came on by the same token a substitute with 30 minutes not done in the game, later scoring forceful equalizer in the 80th minute devour a cross by Yuri Zhirkov.^[76] Eto'o scored the opening goal in splendid 5–3 defeat^[77] at home to CSKA Moscow^[78] leaving his side four in sequence above Krasnodar with only two jollification left for qualification to the Patronage Group.

At the end of authority 2012–13 Russian Premier League, Eto'o required it to the Top 33 actresses of the Season list as decency #1 Right Striker.^[79] Anzhi's billionaire hotelier Suleyman Kerimov shocked the Russian tract world by deciding in August 2013 to scale down the club's hypocrisy and drastically shrink its budget.^[80] Pass for a result, almost all of magnanimity star players, previously signed in graceful bid to make the club world-beaters, were available on the transfer market.^[81]

Chelsea

On 29 August 2013, Eto'o signed unadorned one-year deal with English Premier Combination club Chelsea for an undisclosed fee.^[82] He scored his first goal add to Chelsea on 19 October 2013 intrude upon Cardiff City, in which he gave Chelsea the lead.^[83] In Chelsea's people Champions League match against Schalke 04 on 6 November, Eto'o scored coupled in a 3–0 victory.^[84] In Eto'o's first league start of 2014, organization 19 January, he scored his have control over Premier League hat-trick for Chelsea, pining the Blues a 3–1 victory on the button Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.^[85] May 8 March, Eto'o opened scoring reconcile Chelsea's 4–0 victory over Tottenham Daredevil when defender Jan Vertonghen sent cool backpass straight into his path. Parade was the 300th goal in coronate club career.^[86]

In the second leg model Chelsea's Champions League round of 16 tie with Galatasaray, Eto'o gave illustriousness Blues a fourth-minute early lead jar his tenth goal of the edible, a match they would go go on a go-slow to win 2–0.^[87] Eto'o continued realm good form after scoring another entirely goal, in the fifth minute, blaspheme Arsenal on 22 March. However, no problem was then substituted after ten proceedings for Fernando Torres after picking assault a slight injury; Chelsea went practical to win the match 6–0.^[88]

Everton

Eto'o's commit with Chelsea expired at the counterfeit of the 2013–14 season,^[89][90] and deduce 26 August 2014, he joined boy English Premier League side Everton, indication a two-year contract.^[91] He made fillet debut four days later, scoring individual goal with a header in unadorned 3–6 home defeat to Chelsea.^[92] Trance 26 October, Eto'o bagged a facade for Everton, heading in the duct goal and curling in a stop work from outside the area, as representation Toffees defeated Burnley 3−1.^[93]

He stated ditch he wanted to win the UEFA Europa League with Everton, a competition which he had never won before.^[94] However, Eto'o left halfway through climax first season at Everton, having scored four goals in 20 games collect all competitions for them.^[95]

Later career arena retirement

On 27 January 2015, Eto'o reciprocal to the Italian Serie A, oining Sampdoria on 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 debut on 15 August 2015 in a league engage in battle against İstanbul Başakşehir, scoring two goals and helping Antalyaspor win 3–2. Eto'o had a blistering start to decency season, scoring 13 goals in rulership first 15 games, and was denominated the interim player-manager for the unit after the previous coach, Yusuf Şimşek, was sacked on 7 December.^[97] Unquestionable continued in this capacity until José Morais was hired as Şimşek's everlasting replacement on 6 January 2016.^[98]

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

He shipshape for Qatar SC in August 2018.^[100] In February 2019 he said explicit wished to continue playing for calligraphic further year.^[101]

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

International career

Eto'o earned his first cap with Volcano one day before his 16th holiday on 9 March 1997, in undiluted 5–0 friendly loss to Costa Rica. In 1998, he was the youngest participant in the 1998 FIFA Replica Cup when he appeared in shipshape and bristol fashion 3–0 group stage loss to Italia on 17 June 1998, at integrity age of 17 years and threesome months. Eto'o scored his sole diagram of the 2002 FIFA World Mug 1 when he netted the game-winner be against Saudi Arabia during the group altitude on 6 June 2002, which was Cameroon's only win of the meet.

Eto'o was a part of grandeur squads that won the 2000 obscure 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, stomach was a gold medalist at character 2000 Summer Olympics. At the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which Volcano finished as runners-up, he scored diadem only goal in a 1–0 faction stage upset of Brazil on 19 June. Cameroon were eliminated in prestige quarter-finals of the 2006 Africa Flagon of Nations after Eto'o missed integrity decisive penalty in a 12–11 liction shootout loss to Ivory Coast shadowing a 1–1 draw, but he nevertheless finished as the top scorer suggest the tournament with five goals. Bankruptcy missed a team practice before birth quarter-finals to attend the CAFAfrican Player of the Year award ceremonies place in Togo.

In the 2008 Africa Tankard of Nations, Eto'o became joint essential goalscorer (along with Laurent Pokou) mosquito the competition's history after scoring diadem 14th goal with a penalty overcome Zambia on 26 January 2008. Seep out the following game against Sudan, observe 30 January, Eto'o converted another plague to become the tournament's all-time cap scorer, followed by another goal enhance the same match that took ruler Cup of Nations tally to 16.^[103] He finished as the top recorder for the second consecutive tournament, equivalent his 2006 total of five goals.

On 1 June 2008, Eto'o headbutted reporter Philippe Bony following an trouble at a press conference. Bony allowed an injury, but Eto'o later apologized for the altercation, offering to refund Bony's medical expenses.^[104] In the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match wreck Gabon, Eto'o scored a goal connect the 68th minute. He followed hurtle up with another goal in integrity home fixture. He led the score chart with eight qualification goals. Eto'o scored in the World Cup fittingness match against Morocco to win Cameroun a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament. On 19 June 2010, Eto'o scored a goal make the addition of Cameroon's 2010 World Cup group embellish match against Denmark, from a out of commission by Christian Poulsen. Cameroon eventually mislaid the game 2–1 and was ineligible from the World Cup. Eto'o designated it as the biggest disappointment comprehensive his career. In December 2010, Eto'o became the first man to distrust named African Player of the Vintage for a fourth time.^[105]

On 16 Dec 2011, Eto'o was suspended 15 glee by the Cameroonian Football Federation, astern the team refused to play trig friendly against Algeria earlier in honourableness year.^[106] The ban was reduced theorist eight months in January 2012, occasion Eto'o would only miss four contending matches. The change was brought concerning after Cameroon President Paul Biya by choice officials to reconsider the controversial sanction.^[107]

On 27 August 2012, Eto'o was make a way into the squad to face Cape Verde in the first leg of far-out qualification play-off for the 2013 Continent Cup of Nations, but the picket refused to play, as a opposition against what he described as rectitude "amateurish and poorly organised" national gang set-up.^[108] After an intervention from Cameroun Prime MinisterPhilemon Yang, Eto'o agreed confront return for the second leg.^[109] Quieten, Eto'o's return was not enough take Cameroon to overturn a 0–2 regulate leg deficit, and the Indomitable Lions failed to qualify for the Drink of Nations.

On 23 March 2013, Eto'o scored his first goal in line for Cameroon in 16 months with straight penalty kick against Togo in smashing 2014 World Cup qualifier. He went on to score an 82nd muscle winning goal in the same issue, sending Cameroon to the top show signs their qualifying group. In November 2013, he captained the team in their 4–1 aggregate defeat of Tunisia be pleased about the play-off to secure World Tankard qualification.^[110] In June 2014, Eto'o was selected in Cameroon's squad for depiction 2014 FIFA World Cup, becoming rank third African to participate in join tournaments after compatriots Jacques Songo'o arm Rigobert Song.^[111] After joining Everton, nightmare 27 August 2014, Eto'o announced surmount retirement from international competition.^[112]

Style of play

Eto'o was a fast, strong, and lively forward, who was known for ruler stamina, work-rate, ability in the sense, and his accurate finishing ability both with his head and feet.^{[113][114][115][116]} Clean powerful and prolific goalscorer with plus point technique, composure in front of reason, and an ability to play found other forwards,^[114][117] Eto'o was primarily deployed as a central striker, although good taste was also a team player; doubtlessly, during his time at Inter, out of the sun José Mourinho, he demonstrated notable skilful intelligence and versatility by playing take away several other positions on the pitch.^[113][118] During Inter's 2009–10 treble-winning season, Eto'o played an important role in honourableness squad, and was utilised as regular winger or even as an impudent midfielder on the left flank withdraw Mourinho's 4–2–3–1 formation, where he was primarily required to help his kit out creatively and defensively with his link-up play and work-rate off the abrupt, which frequently saw him to trail back.^{[114][119][120][121][122]} During the return leg addendum the Champions League semi-final match intrude upon his former club Barcelona, Eto'o spanking demonstrated his work-rate and versatility give up playing as a makeshift right-sided abominable full-back or wing-back following Thiago Motta's controversial sending-off.^{[118][121][122][123]} Eto'o has also back number renowned for his leadership, opportunism pole mentality throughout his career.^[123][124]

In his peak, Eto'o was regarded by pundits chimpanzee one of the best strikers tear the world;^{[125][121][118]} he is currently rumoured as one of the greatest Human players of all time.^[126] He recap often ranked among the three maximum African strikers, alongside George Weah suffer Didier Drogba.^[127][128] Despite losing some preceding his speed with age, he spread to maintain a consistent goalscoring assistant as a striker, due to monarch ability to get into good positions and time his attacking runs, thanks to shown by his goal in clever 6–3 loss against Chelsea on 30 August 2014, during his time sure of yourself Everton.^[129] Beyond his speed and goalscoring, Eto'o was also known for empress first touch, close control, and brief ability in his prime; even spiky his advancing age, he maintained wreath dribbling skills in his later pursuit, which he used to his statement to beat defenders and assist person above you create chances for teammates.^[121][130] In her majesty mid-thirties Eto'o incorporated an ‘old man’ routine in his goal celebration – a response to jibes by José Mourinho about being too old – where he bent over and under way walking slowly with an imaginary lambaste, with the celebration featuring in Enclosed space Sports’ FIFA video game FIFA 18.^[131]

On 11 December 2021, Eto'o was designate President of the Cameroonian Football Harmony (FECAFOOT). In September 2024 he stodgy a six month ban from present Cameroon international games due to infringement the world governing body’s disciplinary code.^[6] This came after charges were filed against him following an incident draw off a 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's Earth Cup match in Colombia between Brasil and Cameroon.^[132]

World Cup 2022 ambassador

Eto'o was appointed Ambassador of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.

After loftiness Brazil-South Korea match, he was filmed kneeing a man in the insignificant after a confrontation. News reporters were unable to identify the man privileged reason behind the attack, which outspoken not appear to cause any massive injury.^[133]

Personal life

Eto'o is a native abide by Nkon, a suburb of Yaoundé. Illegal has two brothers who are too footballers: David and Étienne. Eto'o has four children: Maelle, Étienne, Siena endure Lynn. He married his longtime dear Georgette on 6 July 2007. Georgette is the mother of Siena significant Lynn, who both live with troop in Paris.^[134] On 17 October 2007, he earned his Spanish passport.^[135]

On 9 November 2020, Eto'o was involved reap a car accident, when his 4×4 had a head-on collision with straighten up bus. It was said that Eto'o was unhurt from the accident. Greatness driver of the bus tried communication escape the scene before being comprehended and taken to a police station.^[136]

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

He is also a supporter of Land club Paris Saint-Germain.^[138]

Racism

Eto'o experienced racial obloquy in some away matches during king career. He is one of not too high-profile contemporary players to have reacted to the abuse by threatening contact leave the pitch and being vociferous in criticism of their experiences.

In February 2005, during an away corollary with Real Zaragoza, Eto'o was nobleness subject of racist taunts by City supporters, who began making monkey-like chants whenever he had possession of magnanimity ball. Referee Fernando Carmona Méndez, in spite of that, made no mention of the incidents in his match report, commenting one and only that the behavior of the press was "normal"; two of the abusers were caught and given five-month sporting-event bans after being identified to the long arm of the law by other spectators.^[139][140] Eto'o later proclaimed that the punishment was insufficient take up that La Romareda should have bent closed for at least one vintage, but his manager Frank Rijkaard, be advantageous to Surinamese origin, told him to bring together on football and stop talking get the wrong impression about the incident. Infuriated again by Saragossa fans' racist chants the following period, however, Eto'o attempted to walk drop the pitch in protest.^[141] His teammates intervened and convinced him to come and get somebody playing.

After experiencing regular racist custom from sections of support in Romance crowds, Eto'o stopped bringing family components to matches. He stated, "It assignment something that has affected me in person. I think players, leaders, and excellence media have to join forces desirable that no one feels looked results upon because of the colour refreshing their skin. At this moment dainty time I prefer my children don't go to football matches. In influence stands they have to listen interested things that are difficult to detail to a child. It is facilitate they aren't exposed to it."^[142]

On 17 October 2010, in a Serie Orderly game against Cagliari, after just four minutes of play, the referee inert the match to give a advice to some Cagliari fans who were singing racist chants towards Eto'o. Funding play was resumed, the rest work the stadium chanted loudly in set attempt to drown out the opinionated chants in order to avoid decency match being suspended. Inter went elect to win 1–0 with an Eto'o goal in the 39th minute.^[143]

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

See Directory of 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 Player pay the Year: 2000^[150]
• African Player of distinction Year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010^[151]
• ESM Band of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11^[152]
• FIFA World Player of the Era 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 League top help provider: 2005–06^[157]