Samuel Eto’o, one of the grestest strikers of his generation, has finally decided to retire from professional football at age 38 after a 22 year long career filled with numerous honours and silverware.
With the final year of his career at Qatar SC, Eto’o decided to put an end to his memorable professional life that spun across several European elites, scoring 293 goals in 587 club appearances.
Four time African player of the year winner, Eto’o represented Cameroon 118 times in the international level, and became the country’s all time top goalscorer with 58 goals. He played in four FIFA World Cups, and winning the Olympic Gold Medal in 2000, and two African Cup of Nations trophy in 2000 and 2002.
The former FC Barcelona attacker posted on his official Instagram following the news of his retirement, with a caption that read: “The end. Towards a new challenge.”
“Thank you all, big love.”
A shining product of the Real Madrid youths, Eto’o joined their La Liga rivals in 2004, and is what started his most prestigious phase of his time on the field.
In his 5 year spell at Camp Nou, the Cameroonian won three La Liga and two UEFA Champions League trophies, earning him the reputation of being one of the most prolific strikers of his era.
In 2009 he gained the attention of José Mourinho, while he was in charge of Inter Milan. Eto’o arrived at San Siro in the summer of 2009, and became a crucial member of the Nerazzuris that won the historical treble in the 2009-2010 season- Serie A, Champions League and Coppa Italia.
After moving to Russian side FC Anzhi Makhachkala in 2011, Eto’o tasted English Premier League football for the first time in 2013 joining Chelsea, and moving to Everton the following year.
In 2015 Eto’o returned to Serie a with Sampdoria for a short 6 month spell, before moving to the Süper Lig, joining Antalyaspor, and later in 2018 another half season with fellow Turkish side Konyaspor, and played the final year of his career at Qatar.
Samuel Eto’o will be remembered as one of the most glorious players of his time, and it is to be seen where the African heads towards for seeking a ‘new challenge’.