By Akinwale Kasali
At 38-years of age, Cameroon legend, Samuel Eto’o Fils, has thrown in the towel. He has bowed out of the round leather game, 22-years after announcing himself to the world.
The Nkon born striker made his debut for the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon at the age of 16 against Costa Rica in an international friendly on 9th March,1st 1995, becoming the youngest player to have featured for the Cameroonian national team. Cameroon lost 5-0 in the encounter.
No doubt, Eto’o is not only a Cameroon legend, but an African legend.
He became the first player to win the African Footballer of the Year four times in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2010.
He is also the highest goal scorer ever in the African Cup of Nations Championship. Surpassing Laurent Pokou 14-goal mark, he scored 16 goals in five AFCON tournaments.
He also won the AFCON trophy twice in 2000 and 2002, recording back-to-back triumph.
Shortly after the AFCON 2000 triumph, Eto’o spearheaded the Cameroon’s attack at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games in Australia, winning Gold at the soccer event, defeating the star studded Spaniards team 3-2.
Eto’o scored a brace in the final after extra time. The Spanish team had Xavi Hernandez, Gabri, Ander Iniesta, Gaizka Mendieta, Iker Camilla’s and other in the team that lost to Cameroon.
Eto’o played a total of 718 games in his illustrious career, scoring 359 goals, 116 assists and winning 22 trophies in 22- years.
He was part of the Cameroonian squad that hoisted its national flag at the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. He went ahead to attend the 2002, 2010 and 2014 world cup in Korea and Japan, South Africa and Brazil.
Eto’o joined the league of African players that participated at four FIFA world cups, following the footsteps of compatriots, Jacques Songo’o and Rigobert Song.
His football career started with Kadji Sports Academy in his native country, Cameroon.
He caught the eyes of European club giants, Real Madrid at a very young age. The club signed him, and he instantly became a household name in the Real Madrid Team B side.
Eto’o couldn’t cement a starting role in the Madrid team, forcing him to join Leganes.
He later moved to Espanyol where he was given more playing time, during which he proved himself, forcing Real Mallorca to sign him.
At Mallorca, he became a goal machine, which caught the eyes of Real Madrid rivals, Barcelona.
His move to Barcelona brought out the best in him. He became the prolific striker the world sought after.
At Barcelona, Eto’o won three La Liga titles, two UEFA Champions League titles and two Copa Del Rey titles.
He moved to the Italian league to pitch tent with Inter Milan under Coach Jose Mourinho, winning the UEFA Champions League title in his first season and two Copa Italia Titles.
Eto’o moved to Russia and joined newcomers and Billionaire owners club, Anzhi Makhachkala, earning a whooping 350,000 Euros weekly wages with other incentives, becoming one of the top three highest paid players in the world and the first in the African continent.
After two years in Russia, Eto’o moved to the English Premier League, teaming up with his former manager, Jose Mourinho.
After two seasons with Chelsea, Eto’o moved to Merseyside club, Everton, where he spent a season and moved back to Italy, joining Sampdoria football club.
At Sampdoria, he brought his wealth of experience, helping the club finish at mid-table, before moving to Turkey after a season in Italy.
At Turkey, Eto’o played for Antalyaspor for two seasons before joining Konyaspor Football Club also in the Turkish league as coach-player.
With age no longer friendly to him, Eto’o left Konyaspor after two seasons, moving to the Middle East to sign for a Qatari club side, Qatar SC.
In Qatar, Eto’o was celebrated and appreciated for his commitments and scoring prowess inspite of his age. He helped the club nurture young and promising players as well as his striking partners on how to be more prolific at the front of goal.
Eto’o will be greatly missed by soccer enthusiasts, Cameroonians, Africa and the world, at large, for his ability, honours and passion for the round Leather game.
