The former Cameroon international and Barcelona forward has revealed why he should be considered the greatest player to have ever come out of the black continent few days after retiring from football.
Four-time Africa Footballer of the Year Samuel Eto'o has pushed himself ahead of the long queue of the finest Africa players in history, insisting that his trophy cabinet speaks for him.
Africa has been blessed with some great talents among whom are Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba, Nigeria's Nwankwo Kanu, Ghana's Abedi Pele Ayew, Algeria's Rabah Madjer, and Cameroon's very own Roger Milla among countless others, but Eto'o believes none before him can compare to what he's achieved.
In truth, none of the other Africans can boast of three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey, one Serie A trophy, two Copa Italia titles, two Champions League trophy, two Africa Cup of Nations gold and an Olympic gold medal among numerous others.
A fact that Samuel Eto'o rubs in without mincing words.
“I am a unique player. I must be given my place. I am the best in Africa. I won it in the stadiums, it's a fact,” says Samuel Eto'o about himself in an interview he gave RFI and monitored by Soccernet.ng.
“Others know it and have to accept it. Someone else will come and do better than me. I know I'm not eternal.”
Samuel Eto'o finally put an end to a long football career that saw him become the record holder for the most number of appearances by an African player in La Liga and also, at the time, the second player in history to score in two UEFA Champions League finals.
However whatever has a beginning surely must have an end, with Eto'o finally calling time on a glittering career that brought him fame and honour.
“I traveled the world as a footballer, it's time for me to move on,” added Samuel Eto'o in the interview.
