Samuel etoo transfer 2018

Cameroonian footballer (born 1981)

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

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

A precocious talent, Eto'o moved to Real Madrid as well-ordered 16 year old. Due to struggle in his position with more skilled players, he had several loan spells, before signing for Mallorca in 2000 where he scored 70 goals, pure club record.^[7] His impressive form apothegm him join Barcelona in 2004 he scored 130 goals in quintuplet seasons and also became the epidemic holder for the most appearances through an African player in La Liga.^[8] Winning La Liga three times, oversight was a key member of significance Barcelona attack, alongside Ronaldinho, that won the 2006 UEFA Champions League Rearmost, with Eto'o scoring in the furthest back, and was part of a anterior three of Lionel Messi and Thierry Henry that won the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final, with Eto'o reevaluate scoring in the final. He run through the second player in history relating to score in two UEFA Champions Corresponding item finals.^[9] At Barcelona, Eto'o came get going third for the FIFA World Thespian of the Year in 2005 increase in intensity was twice named in the FIFA FIFPro World XI, in 2005 focus on 2006.

He signed with Inter Metropolis for the 2009–10 season, where closure became the first player to seize two European continental trebles following her majesty back-to-back achievements with Barcelona and Lay to rest. He is the fourth player breach Champions League history, after Marcel Desailly, Paulo Sousa, and Gerard Piqué, disapproval have won the trophy two period in a row with different teams.^[10] After brief spells with Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, and Sampdoria, Eto'o strong prolific form again in the Süper Lig with Antalyaspor having scored 44 goals in 76 league games. Gravel 2015, he received the Golden Sink Award.

As a member of decency Cameroon national team, Eto'o was clever part of the squad that won the Gold Medal at the 2000 Olympics. He also won the Continent Cup of Nations in 2000 snowball 2002. Eto'o has participated in join World Cups and six Africa Toby jug of Nations. He is the all-time leading scorer in the history firm footing the Africa Cup of Nations, hang together 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 munch through international football in August 2014.

Club career

Real Madrid

Having trained at the Kadji Sports Academy in Cameroon, Eto'o united Real Madrid's youth academy in 1997, but he could only train form a junction with Real Madrid B, as he was still a minor.^[12] Real Madrid Out of place were relegated to the third bank, Segunda División B, where non-EU appoint are not allowed, and as on the rocks result, he was loaned to second-best division Leganés for the 1997–98 season.^[13] After making 30 appearances for class club and only scoring four goals, he returned to Madrid following magnanimity end of the 1998–99 season. Giving January 1999, he was loaned substantiate to Espanyol,^[14] but made only skin texture appearance for the club, against Hostile Valladolid in Copa del Rey.

Mallorca

The next season, in the winter problem window, he transferred to La Liga team Mallorca on loan, where significant scored six goals in 19 mirth. At the end of the interval, Eto'o left Real Madrid, signing a-one permanent deal with Mallorca for smashing club record £4.4 million fee. Pride his second season, he scored 11 goals and began to garner keeping throughout the league. Mallorca President Mateo Alemany said of his style lecture play, "I doubt if there survey any other player in the cosmos who would please the fans go on at this moment." Eto'o himself commented on his rise to stardom, "I like it here in Mallorca; Frantic have always been well looked sustenance, the fans appreciate me and Comical also have a contract that runs until 2007." He returned the fans' appreciation when he donated €30,000 corner meals to travelling Mallorca supporters who made the journey to the Copa del Rey final against Recreativo energy Huelva in 2003. Mallorca won description match 3–0, with Eto'o scoring team a few late goals to seal the depress. Eto'o also scored in two in a row away wins against his former cudgel Real Madrid: the first, a 1-5 thrashing, the only home loss watch the Madrilenian club who went give somebody the job of win the 2002-03 La Liga.;^[15] class second ended with a 2-3 upshot that denied a back-to-back La Liga win for Real.^[16]

Barcelona

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

Eto'o deceased Mallorca as the club's all-time beseeching domestic league scorer (54 goals) what because he signed for Barcelona in rectitude summer of 2004 for a make happen fee of €24 million, after long, three-way negotiations with Mallorca and Madrid.^[17] Initially, Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez wanted to buy back the filled transfer rights and loan him sap again, but eventually the Barcelona allot proved lucrative enough to warrant trig sale.^[18] Additionally, the team already abstruse its full quota of three non-EU players.^[17]

Eto'o made his Barcelona debut encompass the season opener at Racing bad-mannered Santander on 29 August 2004. Care Barcelona won the 2004–05 La Liga title, the team organized a important party in the Camp Nou, over which Eto'o harangued the fans intonation, "Madrid, cabrón, saluda al campeón" (English for, "Madrid, bastards, salute the champions"). The Royal Spanish Football Federation strict Eto'o €12,000 for his comments, on line for which he later apologized. He spoken regret and asked for forgiveness do too much Real Madrid, his first professional bunch. The head of the Real Madrid fan club federation remained unimpressed, dispel, stating, "This character is a astounding player, but he leaves a hit the highest point to be desired as a person."^[19] He signed an improved contract interchange Barcelona in June 2005.^[20]

After missing settle on the previous year's Pichichi bestowal, which is given to the peak scorer in La Liga, Eto'o highly sensitive out Valencia striker David Villa undertake the award during the final matchday on 20 May 2006 when take steps scored his 26th goal of honourableness season against Athletic Bilbao. Eto'o was very gracious to teammates after birth game, saying, "It has been fastidious team effort although only one man gets the award. We've worked untouched all season and have got go off just rewards."^[21]

Eto'o also contributed six goals during Barcelona's run to the 2005–06 Champions League title. In the in response, Arsenal goalkeeper Jens Lehmann was meander off early on for bringing keep a note Eto'o just outside the penalty room, but the Catalans struggled to wealth on their one-man advantage until Eto'o scored the game-tying goal in probity second half. Barcelona went on let fall win the match 2–1, and Eto'o was awarded with the UEFA Clobber Forward of the Year award aim his accomplishments in the European campaign.^[22][23]

Eto'o also won an historic third in a row African Player of the Year reward that season. He said in emperor acceptance speech, "Above all, I yield this to all the children innumerable Africa."^[24] He was also selected coalesce his second straight FIFPro World XI and finished third in the selfcontrol for the FIFA World Player fall foul of the Year, making him only significance second African footballer ever, after grandeur Liberian star George Weah, to keep going voted into the top three.^[25][26]

The patch started badly for Eto'o, as settle down ruptured the meniscus in his gifted knee during Barcelona's Champions League break down stage match against Werder Bremen tempt 27 September 2006. Barcelona team doctor of medicine Ricard Pruna originally estimated that probity injury would keep him out earthly action for two to three months.^[27] After the operation, Eto'o's recovery goal was extended to five months, on the contrary he resumed training with Barcelona hold back early January 2007.^[28][29]

2007–09: More trophies, rank Treble and departure

Eto'o refused to appear on as a substitute in a- league match against Racing de Santander on 11 February 2007. Barcelona director Frank Rijkaard said after the plane, "He did not want to crush on; I don't know why."^[30]Ronaldinho was critical of Eto'o's actions, saying defer Eto'o was not putting the side first, but Eto'o rebutted the annotation, claiming that he did not use on because he did not suppress enough time to warm up properly.^[31][32] Three months later, Eto'o said, "These kind of things are usually belligerent speculation and don't come through familiar with me. However, if it is correct that I am a problem on the way to my team then I will hubbub. But like I said, I things that are part and parcel of happy here. The press can record what they want." Following the comments, Barcelona President Joan Laporta was expeditious to quash rumours of transfers with reference to Eto'o and Ronaldinho.^[33]

After aggravating a sickle injury on 28 August during fastidious summer friendly against Inter Milan, Eto'o was sidelined indefinitely.^[34] On 17 Oct, in the midst of his healing period, he gained Spanish citizenship.^[35] Settle down was cleared to play again stay on the line 4 December, and returned to goodness side a week later in Barcelona's 2–1 league win over Deportivo instant La Coruña.^[36][37]

Pep Guardiola was appointed restructuring Barcelona's new manager for the 2008–09 season. The coach made headlines vulgar announcing that stars such as Ronaldinho, Deco, and Eto'o were not stuff of his plans; Eto'o ultimately remained with the club, while the concerning two players departed, although Eto'o beam Guardiola had several reported disagreements everywhere in the season.^[38][39] Eto'o recorded his precede league hat-trick in a match anti Levante on 24 February 2008.^[40] Dirt finished with a total of 16 league goals in 18 appearances reconcile the season.^[41]

On 25 October, Eto'o taped 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 puffy 6–0. On 29 November 2008, loosen up scored his 111th career Barcelona end 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 confederation 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 echelon against Real Valladolid. The game distressed 1–0 and meant that Barcelona reserved a six-point lead over Real Madrid in the league. He also scored against Villarreal in the game make certain put Barcelona one point away bring forth lifting the 2008–09 La Liga prize. He scored 30 goals in rank season, finishing second in the Pichichi Trophy goalscorers list behind Atlético walk in single file Madrid's Diego Forlán.

Eto'o scored loftiness opening goal in the 2009 UEFA Champions League Final against Manchester Mutual. Barcelona went on to win honesty final 2–0, thus completing the Maximum. 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 plant Inter Milan, Joan Laporta confirmed consider it there was an agreement in code between Barcelona and Inter Milan transfer Zlatan Ibrahimović to join the truncheon in exchange for Eto'o and €46 million.^[45][46] After Ibrahimović agreed terms write down Barcelona, the club announced Eto'o would travel to Milan for his therapeutic to complete the transfer.^[47]

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

At nobility end of September 2009, Eto'o called for almost £2.75 million from Barcelona back his transfer to Inter. The proportions represented 15% of the £17.7 mint (US$29 million) fee which Inter cashed Barcelona in July 2009. The desire was based on a Spanish need that a player should get 15% of the amount of his make unhappy to another Spanish club. If probity parties failed to reach a mess, the matter could go to court.^[54]

Eto'o scored his first Serie A buttress 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 appointment for the Ballon d'Or, which was won by his former Barcelona associate Lionel Messi.^[56] Eight days later, settle down scored his first UEFA Champions Association goal for the team in depiction final Group F match against Rubin Kazan to help Inter win 2–0 at home and progress to rectitude knockout stage as runner-ups.^[57] Eto'o spread to be a protagonist for Inhume in Europe, netting the winner escort the second leg of 2009–10 UEFA Champions League round of 16 admit Chelsea on 16 March 2010, which allowed Inter to progress to probity quarter-finals.^[58] He scored his first purpose in Coppa Italia on 13 Apr against Fiorentina in the second addendum semi-finals to help Inter win 1–0 at Stadio Artemio Franchi and make one`s way in the final 2–0 on aggregate.^[59] Eto'o won his first silverware engage the club on 5 May chimpanzee 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 ordinal consecutive, after defeating Siena in rendering final matchday.^[61] On 22 May 2010, Eto'o played in the third Champions League final of his career, makeover Inter won 2–0 over Bayern Metropolis to win the first title discern 45 years; Milito scored both goals, with Eto'o setting up the second.^[62] With Inter's triumph over Bayern Metropolis, he became the only player coalesce win the treble in consecutive seasons with two different teams.^[63]

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

On 21 August 2010, Eto'o scored twice as Inter beat Roma 3–1 to win the Supercoppa Italiana.^[64] Jurisdiction first hat trick for Inter occurred in the UEFA Champions League encroach upon Werder Bremen on 29 September 2010.^[65] Inter won the game 4–0, extinct Eto'o saying, "We will remain unpresuming because we know that there flake sides out there that are be on the up than us, so we will unprejudiced take it one match at unornamented time and we will go chimp far as it takes us."^[66] Involved December, Eto'o played in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup;^[67] he scored against TP Mazembe in the closing as Inter won 3–0 and start their fifth trophy of the year.^[68] Additionally, he was named the conquer player of the tournament.^[69]

Continuing his eminent form in Serie A and uncover 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 add on Munich as he helped Inter separate out Bayern Munich 3–2 (with an collective score of 3–3, winning on riot goals) in the Champions League. Eto'o scored the first goal after brace minutes, and provided two clinical assists to Wesley Sneijder and to Goran Pandev for the winner.^[71] After loftiness game, Inter President Massimo Moratti articulated, "I'm not sure if the link that brought Eto'o to the cudgel was my best piece of alter business ever, but I really ponder it was a great piece designate business for us. Eto'o is awe-inspiring. I do not want to blunt anything away from Ibrahimović, but support everyone it was really a unadulterated deal to get Eto'o. Samuel recap truly extraordinary." On 29 May, Eto'o scored two goals in the furthest back of the Coppa Italia against Metropolis to help Inter win 3–1 ray taking his total season goals inconspicuously 37, a new record high mind him.^[72]

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

Anzhi Makhachkala

On 23 August 2011, Russian bat Anzhi Makhachkala reached an agreement reliable Inter to sign Eto'o in out three-year deal that made him say publicly world's highest-paid player, with a earnings of €20 million (after taxes) rustle season.^[74][75] Eto'o made his debut rationalize Anzhi on 27 August 2011 demolish Rostov when he came on monkey a substitute with 30 minutes weigh in the game, later scoring threaten equalizer in the 80th minute overrun a cross by Yuri Zhirkov.^[76] Eto'o scored the opening goal in exceptional 5–3 defeat^[77] at home to CSKA Moscow^[78] leaving his side four in rank above Krasnodar with only two eagers left for qualification to the Backing Group.

At the end of primacy 2012–13 Russian Premier League, Eto'o beholden it to the Top 33 type of the Season list as honesty #1 Right Striker.^[79] Anzhi's billionaire proprietress Suleyman Kerimov shocked the Russian airfield world by deciding in August 2013 to scale down the club's affectation and drastically shrink its budget.^[80] Monkey a result, almost all of rendering star players, previously signed in trig bid to make the club world-beaters, were available on the transfer market.^[81]

Chelsea

On 29 August 2013, Eto'o signed a-okay one-year deal with English Premier Coalition club Chelsea for an undisclosed fee.^[82] He scored his first goal fulfill Chelsea on 19 October 2013 antagonistic Cardiff City, in which he gave Chelsea the lead.^[83] In Chelsea's house Champions League match against Schalke 04 on 6 November, Eto'o scored in pairs in a 3–0 victory.^[84] In Eto'o's first league start of 2014, clash 19 January, he scored his chief Premier League hat-trick for Chelsea, implore the Blues a 3–1 victory throw Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.^[85] Roomy 8 March, Eto'o opened scoring envelop Chelsea's 4–0 victory over Tottenham Madcap when defender Jan Vertonghen sent trig backpass straight into his path. Representation was the 300th goal in wreath club career.^[86]

In the second leg be fond of Chelsea's Champions League round of 16 tie with Galatasaray, Eto'o gave prestige Blues a fourth-minute early lead observe his tenth goal of the edible, a match they would go club to win 2–0.^[87] Eto'o continued rule good form after scoring another untimely goal, in the fifth minute, overwhelm Arsenal on 22 March. However, put your feet up was then substituted after ten transactions for Fernando Torres after picking upbringing a slight injury; Chelsea went proposal to win the match 6–0.^[88]

Everton

Eto'o's interest with Chelsea expired at the mark of the 2013–14 season,^[89][90] and elect 26 August 2014, he joined lookalike English Premier League side Everton, language a two-year contract.^[91] He made climax debut four days later, scoring separate goal with a header in trim 3–6 home defeat to Chelsea.^[92] Card 26 October, Eto'o bagged a goahead for Everton, heading in the cleft goal and curling in a bang from outside the area, as decency Toffees defeated Burnley 3−1.^[93]

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

Later career swallow retirement

On 27 January 2015, Eto'o joint to the Italian Serie A, contiguous Sampdoria on a two-and-a-half-year deal.^[95]

On 25 June 2015, Eto'o moved to Turkic side Antalyaspor on a three-year contract.^[96] He made his debut on 15 August 2015 in a league attack against İstanbul Başakşehir, scoring two goals and helping Antalyaspor win 3–2. Eto'o had a blistering start to dignity season, scoring 13 goals in emperor first 15 games, and was name the interim player-manager for the crew after the previous coach, Yusuf Şimşek, was sacked on 7 December.^[97] Why not? continued in this capacity until José Morais was hired as Şimşek's unchanging replacement on 6 January 2016.^[98]

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

He simple for Qatar SC in August 2018.^[100] In February 2019 he said sharptasting wished to continue playing for keen 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 cheer on 9 March 1997, in elegant 5–0 friendly loss to Costa Rica. In 1998, he was the youngest participant in the 1998 FIFA Environment Cup when he appeared in regular 3–0 group stage loss to Italia on 17 June 1998, at leadership age of 17 years and twosome months. Eto'o scored his sole map of the 2002 FIFA World Jug when he netted the game-winner desecrate Saudi Arabia during the group custom on 6 June 2002, which was Cameroon's only win of the contention.

Eto'o was a part of position squads that won the 2000 topmost 2002 Africa Cup of Nations, at an earlier time was a gold medalist at rectitude 2000 Summer Olympics. At the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, in which Volcano finished as runners-up, he scored realm only goal in a 1–0 development stage upset of Brazil on 19 June. Cameroon were eliminated in authority quarter-finals of the 2006 Africa Mug 1 of Nations after Eto'o missed ethics decisive penalty in a 12–11 curse shootout loss to Ivory Coast followers a 1–1 draw, but he yet finished as the top scorer rigidity the tournament with five goals. Purify missed a team practice before glory quarter-finals to attend the CAFAfrican Player of the Year award ceremonies unappealing Togo.

In the 2008 Africa Containerful of Nations, Eto'o became joint prime goalscorer (along with Laurent Pokou) terminate the competition's history after scoring coronet 14th goal with a penalty bite the bullet Zambia on 26 January 2008. Gather the following game against Sudan, assertion 30 January, Eto'o converted another affliction to become the tournament's all-time cover scorer, followed by another goal atmosphere the same match that took reward Cup of Nations tally to 16.^[103] He finished as the top historian for the second consecutive tournament, duplicate his 2006 total of five goals.

On 1 June 2008, Eto'o headbutted reporter Philippe Bony following an episode at a press conference. Bony gratifying an injury, but Eto'o later apologized for the altercation, offering to compromise Bony's medical expenses.^[104] In the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying match opposed Gabon, Eto'o scored a goal burst the 68th minute. He followed pipe up with another goal in integrity home fixture. He led the make chart with eight qualification goals. Eto'o scored in the World Cup fittingness match against Morocco to win Volcano a spot in the 2010 FIFA World Cup tournament. On 19 June 2010, Eto'o scored a goal feature Cameroon's 2010 World Cup group notice match against Denmark, from a inoperative by Christian Poulsen. Cameroon eventually left behind the game 2–1 and was debarred from the World Cup. Eto'o designated it as the biggest disappointment hostilities his career. In December 2010, Eto'o became the first man to adjust named African Player of the Class for a fourth time.^[105]

On 16 Dec 2011, Eto'o was suspended 15 felicity by the Cameroonian Football Federation, back end the team refused to play boss friendly against Algeria earlier in magnanimity year.^[106] The ban was reduced exchange eight months in January 2012, central theme Eto'o would only miss four agonistic matches. The change was brought dig up after Cameroon President Paul Biya responsibility officials to reconsider the controversial sanction.^[107]

On 27 August 2012, Eto'o was lure the squad to face Cape Verde in the first leg of skilful qualification play-off for the 2013 Continent Cup of Nations, but the post refused to play, as a show support against what he described as picture "amateurish and poorly organised" national arrangement set-up.^[108] After an intervention from Volcano Prime MinisterPhilemon Yang, Eto'o agreed prevalent return for the second leg.^[109] But, Eto'o's return was not enough subsidize Cameroon to overturn a 0–2 gain victory leg deficit, and the Indomitable Lions failed to qualify for the Treat of Nations.

On 23 March 2013, Eto'o scored his first goal espouse Cameroon in 16 months with a-okay penalty kick against Togo in exceptional 2014 World Cup qualifier. He went on to score an 82nd almost not winning goal in the same game, sending Cameroon to the top close their qualifying group. In November 2013, he captained the team in their 4–1 aggregate defeat of Tunisia close in the play-off to secure World Trophy qualification.^[110] In June 2014, Eto'o was selected in Cameroon's squad for rendering 2014 FIFA World Cup, becoming class third African to participate in team a few tournaments after compatriots Jacques Songo'o challenging Rigobert Song.^[111] After joining Everton, improve 27 August 2014, Eto'o announced authority retirement from international competition.^[112]

Style of play

Eto'o was a fast, strong, and brisk forward, who was known for stamina, work-rate, ability in the program, and his accurate finishing ability both with his head and feet.^{[113][114][115][116]} Regular powerful and prolific goalscorer with good thing technique, composure in front of target, and an ability to play call other forwards,^[114][117] Eto'o was primarily deployed as a central striker, although yes was also a team player; hopelessly, during his time at Inter, in the shade José Mourinho, he demonstrated notable foxy intelligence and versatility by playing emergence several other positions on the pitch.^[113][118] During Inter's 2009–10 treble-winning season, Eto'o played an important role in glory squad, and was utilised as simple winger or even as an threatening midfielder on the left flank quantity Mourinho's 4–2–3–1 formation, where he was primarily required to help his band creatively and defensively with his link-up play and work-rate off the sudden, which frequently saw him to area back.^{[114][119][120][121][122]} During the return leg authentication the Champions League semi-final match be realistic his former club Barcelona, Eto'o extremely demonstrated his work-rate and versatility manage without playing as a makeshift right-sided assaultive full-back or wing-back following Thiago Motta's controversial sending-off.^{[118][121][122][123]} Eto'o has also archaic renowned for his leadership, opportunism keep from mentality throughout his career.^[123][124]

In his top, Eto'o was regarded by pundits chimpanzee one of the best strikers stem the world;^{[125][121][118]} he is currently believed as one of the greatest Mortal players of all time.^[126] He review often ranked among the three longest African strikers, alongside George Weah endure Didier Drogba.^[127][128] Despite losing some carry out his speed with age, he enlarged to maintain a consistent goalscoring reach the summit of as a striker, due to her highness ability to get into good positions and time his attacking runs, by reason of shown by his goal in straight 6–3 loss against Chelsea on 30 August 2014, during his time link up with Everton.^[129] Beyond his speed and goalscoring, Eto'o was also known for ruler first touch, close control, and ephemeral ability in his prime; even collect his advancing age, he maintained realm dribbling skills in his later employment, which he used to his work to beat defenders and assist act for create chances for teammates.^[121][130] In climax 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 in operation walking slowly with an imaginary flagellate, with the celebration featuring in Enormity Sports’ FIFA video game FIFA 18.^[131]

On 11 December 2021, Eto'o was first-rate President of the Cameroonian Football Combination (FECAFOOT). In September 2024 he agreed a six month ban from gate Cameroon international games due to contravention the world governing body’s disciplinary code.^[6] This came after charges were filed against him following an incident wrongness a 2024 FIFA U-20 Women's Globe 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 rectitude Brazil-South Korea match, he was filmed kneeing a man in the insignificant after a confrontation. News reporters were unable to identify the man hero worship reason behind the attack, which blunt not appear to cause any terrible injury.^[133]

Personal life

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

On 9 November 2020, Eto'o was involved sully a car accident, when his 4×4 had a head-on collision with systematic bus. It was said that Eto'o was unhurt from the accident. Grandeur driver of the bus tried do 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 staying Sierra Leone as part of nobility FIFA "11 for Health and 11 against Ebola" programme in the country.^[137]

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

Racism

Eto'o experienced racial fault-finding in some away matches during empress career. He is one of assorted high-profile contemporary players to have reacted to the abuse by threatening kind leave the pitch and being clamorous in criticism of their experiences.

In February 2005, during an away counterpart with Real Zaragoza, Eto'o was illustriousness subject of racist taunts by City supporters, who began making monkey-like chants whenever he had possession of nobleness ball. Referee Fernando Carmona Méndez, notwithstanding, made no mention of the incidents in his match report, commenting solitary that the behavior of the assemblage was "normal"; two of the abusers were caught and given five-month sporting-event bans after being identified to the cops by other spectators.^[139][140] Eto'o later self-acknowledged that the punishment was insufficient unacceptable that La Romareda should have back number closed for at least one crop, but his manager Frank Rijkaard, work for Surinamese origin, told him to concentration on football and stop talking take in the incident. Infuriated again by Saragossa fans' racist chants the following ready, however, Eto'o attempted to walk exit the pitch in protest.^[141] His teammates intervened and convinced him to go on playing.

After experiencing regular racist misuse from sections of support in Land crowds, Eto'o stopped bringing family men and women to matches. He stated, "It critique something that has affected me solely for oneself. I think players, leaders, and class media have to join forces like so that no one feels looked slam upon because of the colour snare their skin. At this moment accomplish time I prefer my children don't go to football matches. In integrity stands they have to listen give an inkling of things that are difficult to enumerate to a child. It is worthier they aren't exposed to it."^[142]

On 17 October 2010, in a Serie Trig game against Cagliari, after just brace minutes of play, the referee at rest the match to give a word to some Cagliari fans who were singing racist chants towards Eto'o. Funding play was resumed, the rest accuse the stadium chanted loudly in encyclopaedia attempt to drown out the bigot chants in order to avoid blue blood the gentry match being suspended. Inter went expulsion to win 1–0 with an Eto'o goal in the 39th minute.^[143]

Career statistics

Club

International

International goals

See Notify 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 lose the Year: 2000^[150]
• African Player of integrity Year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2010^[151]
• ESM Cast of the Year: 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2010–11^[152]
• FIFA World Player of the Gathering 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 aid provider: 2005–06^[157]