Born in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, Samuel Eto’o has been an inspiration for young African athletes.
Children playing football in the streets would shout his name after scoring goals, and thousands wore his jersey with pride.
Recognized as one of the greatest strikers in football history, Eto’o’s talent was discovered at a very young age. Real Madrid signed him from the Kadji Sports Academy when he was just 16 years old.
However, due to his young age, it was difficult for him to compete with Real Madrid’s star-studded squad. As a result, the Cameroonian striker was loaned to Leganés, Espanyol, and Mallorca.
After delivering an outstanding performance at Mallorca, the club signed him permanently for €7.2 million. This move would soon become one of Real Madrid’s biggest regrets, as Eto’o scored 70 goals and broke the club’s scoring record.
Golden Years at Barcelona and Inter Milan
Eto’o’s success caught the attention of Barcelona, who signed him for €27 million. At his unveiling, he provocatively addressed the crowd with “Madrid, salute the champions!”, earning him a €12,000 fine and forcing a public apology.
In five seasons at Barcelona, Eto’o scored 130 goals, won La Liga three times, and lifted the UEFA Champions League trophy twice.
In 2005, he was nominated for the Ballon d’Or and finished third. He also became one of the few players to score in two different Champions League finals. Despite injuries and tensions with coach Frank Rijkaard during his final years, Eto’o left an indelible mark on the club’s history.
After leaving Barcelona, he was swapped with Zlatan Ibrahimović and joined Inter Milan. There, he once again played a key role in a treble-winning season, lifting the Champions League for the third time in his career.
When compared with Ibrahimović, Eto’o responded confidently:
“I am Samuel Eto’o, and I do not want to compare myself to anyone. The trophies I’ve won speak for themselves.”
Later Career and Retirement
Eto’o moved to Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala for €27 million, becoming the highest-paid footballer in the world at the time.
He later played for Chelsea, Everton, and Sampdoria, contributing experience and goals despite his advancing age.
His journey continued in Turkey, where he joined Antalyaspor and led the team with strong performances. A brief stint at Konyaspor followed before he ended his career at Qatar SC in 2019.
Across his club career, Eto’o made 754 appearances, scored 368 goals, and registered 116 assists. He was named African Player of the Year four times: in 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2010.
International Success and Controversies
Internationally, Eto’o won the Olympic gold medal with Cameroon in 2000 and lifted the Africa Cup of Nations in 2002. With 56 goals in 118 matches, he is the top scorer in both Cameroon’s history and AFCON history.
However, his time with the national team was not without controversy. He once headbutted a journalist, receiving widespread criticism and later apologizing.
In 2011, he was suspended for 12 months (later reduced to 8) after refusing to play a friendly match. A year later, he boycotted a qualifier against Cape Verde, citing poor management in the national setup.
Legacy On and Off the Field
Eto’o was more than just a goal-scorer. He was fast, strong, intelligent, and technically gifted.
He could operate not only as a central striker but also on the wings or as an attacking midfielder. His dribbling, close control, first touch, and passing ability made him a complete forward.
He endured racial abuse throughout his career but always responded with professionalism and grace.
After retiring, Eto’o was elected President of the Cameroon Football Federation in December 2021. In 2024, he received a six-month suspension for disciplinary violations. He was also appointed as an ambassador for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Off the pitch, Eto’o’s life was equally eventful. He married Georgette and had four children. He was named a chief in Sierra Leone during a humanitarian event and survived a car crash in 2020.
Eto’o continues to be a cherished figure in Cameroon, remembered for his brilliance, resilience, and the legacy he left behind.