Cameroonian football icon Samuel Eto’o announced his retirement from professional football at the age of 38 on Saturday, September 7, 2019.
The decorated striker, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time, concluded his 22-year playing career with a simple message on his Instagram account:
“The end. Toward a new challenge. Thank you all big love.”
Career Highlights
Eto’o’s career spanned numerous top European clubs and yielded an immense haul of trophies, characterized by his speed, strength, and clinical finishing:
| Club | Notable Achievements |
| FC Barcelona (2004–2009) | 🏆 2x UEFA Champions League |
| 🏆 3x La Liga Titles | |
| 🏆 1x Copa del Rey | |
| Inter Milan (2009–2011) | 🏆 1x UEFA Champions League |
| 🏆 1x Serie A Title | |
| 🏆 2x Coppa Italia |
Notably, Eto’o is the first and only player in history to win back-to-back continental trebles (domestic league, domestic cup, and Champions League) with two different clubs: Barcelona (2008/09) and Inter Milan (2009/10).
His other prominent club stints included Real Madrid (early career), Mallorca (where he became the club’s all-time league scorer), Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, Sampdoria, Antalyaspor, Konyaspor, and finally, Qatar SC (his last professional club).
International Legacy (Cameroon)
Eto’o is the:
- Cameroon’s all-time leading scorer with 56 goals in 118 caps.
- African Cup of Nations all-time leading scorer with 18 goals.
- Winner of the African Player of the Year award a record four times (2003, 2004, 2005, 2010).
He led the “Indomitable Lions” to victory in the Africa Cup of Nations twice (2000 and 2002) and won a Gold Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
