Samuel Eto’o is a former Cameroonian player who is if not the best regarded African player of all time. He was born on 10 th March 1981 from the Nkon region in the country of Cameroon. Eto’o spent most of his young soccer playing years as a striker in both club soccer and international soccer.
Club Career:
Eto’o started his professional career at the age of 16 for the Cameroonian club Kadji Sports Academy. Following his representations, he was considered by the Europe clubs and in 1997 he was signed by Real Madrid’s youth team, the Real Madrid Juniors. But it took the Cameroonian a while to establish himself in the first team and was consequently transferred to several different teams in the Spanish leagues including Leganes and Espanyol among others.Finally in the year 2000 Eto’o was transferred to Mallorca where he really came into his own. He netted fifty four goals in one hundred and twenty matches for the club and thus caught the attention of FC Barcelona. He came to Barcelona in summer 2004 and he said that it is the most successful period of his footballing career . With Eto’o up front, he was to go on to form a lethal attacking trident with Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi while winning many domestic and foreign titles. In his five-year spell with Barca, he clinched three UEFA Champions League medals, four Spanish League titles and two Copas de Rey kits.
In the end of the season, Eto’o moved to Inter Milan where he was swapped for Zlatan Ibrahimovic who also joined Barcelona. He followed his success to Inter Milan where he achieved success in the treble in his first season in the club. Despite having been instrumental in Inter’s success in the Champions League where he scored both a semifinal and a final goal, Eto’o did not enjoy the best form with Los Rojeris in the first half of the season at the Bernabeu. He later had short stint with other clubs including Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea FC, Everton and sampdoria and he played his last game in 2019.
International Career:
Samuel Eto’o played for the Cameroonian national team with a lot of honor. He has also been a member of the national team since 1997, where he was able to become their record goalscorer netting 56 goals in 118 games. Eto’o played for Cameroon in four FIFA world cups inthe years 1998, 2002, 2010, and 2014 for his country, Cameroon won the Africa cup of nations in the years 2000 and 2002.Achievements and Legacy:
For the same reason, Samuel Eto’o bagged numerous awards and individual achievements in his playing career. These include: Successful CAF African Player of the Year seven times – 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2010; UEFA Best Player in Africa – 2006, 2010 and 2012; FIFA World Player of the Year bronze award – 2002; African Footballer of the Year bronze – 2007, and four times BBC African Eto’o is remembered for his high speed and speed, potency, persuasiveness and goal-scoring capability irrespective of the quarter of the field.Other than football, Eto’o has been engaged in various charity work; most of which are concerned with provision of education and health care facilities in African countries. He has founded the Samuel Eto’o foundation whose mission is to make the lives of the youths in the continent much better.
The life and football journey of Samuel Eto’o has being a catalyst to African football. Their achievement in the club and at the international level this year as well as his personal achievement has placed him among the best footballer from the continent. To date people in Africa aspiring to be footballers look up to him as a role model for his contribution to the game as well to the society.
Samuel Eto’o Contract, Advertisement and Personal income.
During his most productive years and when he was playing for big teams of Barcelona and Inter Milan, Samuel Eto’o earned some of the highest wages in the sport of football. He however moved to Barcelona in 2004 under the contract that came with a better offer than what he was paid in Valencia. While Eto’o was in Barcelona, they learnt that he was paid about €10 million annually.Having established himself as a football star, Samuel Eto’o was also able to get many sponsored by well known companies to advertise their products through him. While specific details of endorsement contracts are not widely disclosed, here are some of the notable endorsements associated with Samuel Eto’o:
Puma: Eto’o had long term contract with Puma as a sportswear manufacturer company. Whenever he stepped out on the field, he used Puma football boots which he endorsed occasionally.
Ford: Another endorsement deal that Eto’o was involved with was with Ford, a global manufacturer of automobile. In this case, he made appearances in advertisement for Ford automobiles.
Samsung: Eto’o in association with Samsung which is electronics company involved in the manufacturing and sale of electronic gadgets. He participated in adverts and sponsorship of some of the Samsung products.
Sony: There was also a percentage revealed that Eto’o was involved in an endorsement association with a world’s renowned electronics/ entertainment company commonly known as Sony. He also featured in SONY product commercials.
Orange: In the course of his careers, Eto’o was an identified brand for Orange that is a telecommunication company. He advertised in commercials and other marketing activities associated with the providers Orange and its services.
Tigo: Eto’o contracted an endorsement deal with Tigo which is a telecommunication company operating in Africa. He was also found in advertising promotions of Tigo firm’s services as well as their products.
Currently, Samuel Eto’o has said to be having an estimated net worth of 100 million dollars thus making him the richest African footballer.
