October 1st 2024.
Samuel Eto'o, the former striker for renowned clubs such as Barcelona, Inter Milan, and Chelsea, has recently faced consequences from FIFA for violating their disciplinary regulations. As the president of the Cameroon Football Federation since 2021, Eto'o has been banned from attending any of their games, including those for men, women, and age-group teams, for the next six months.
According to FIFA's statement, the punishment was a result of Eto'o's actions during the FIFA Under-20 Women's World Cup match between Brazil and Cameroon, which took place in Colombia on September 11, 2024. Although FIFA did not provide specific details, they stated that Eto'o had displayed offensive behavior and misconduct towards officials and had violated the principles of fair play.
This is not the first time that Eto'o has faced disciplinary action in recent months. In fact, just three months ago, he was fined $200,000 by the African Football Federation for breaching their ethics code in a brand deal with an online gambling company. And, during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Eto'o was caught on camera attacking a YouTuber after a heated confrontation following Brazil's victory over South Korea.
Despite these controversies, there is no denying that Eto'o is one of the greatest African players of all time. He has won the African Footballer of the Year award four times in his illustrious career and is widely regarded as one of the best African players to have ever played the game. Eto'o was discovered by Real Madrid at the young age of 15, but he was unable to make a breakthrough at the club and eventually moved to Mallorca in 2000.
It was at Barcelona where Eto'o truly made a name for himself, scoring an impressive 130 goals in 199 games and winning eight major trophies, including two Champions Leagues. He then went on to win another Champions League with Inter Milan, where he played under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. Despite having less successful stints at clubs like Anzhi Makhachkala, Chelsea, Everton, and Antalyaspor, Eto'o's legacy in the game remains unparalleled.
Not only is he Cameroon's all-time top scorer with 56 goals, but he also helped his country win the African Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. According to Mourinho, Eto'o deserved to win the Ballon d'Or at least once during his career, considering his impressive achievements. The Portuguese manager, who has worked with Eto'o at Inter Milan, praised the striker for his success in different leagues, including scoring in three Champions League finals and winning two with Barcelona. Despite not receiving the prestigious award, Eto'o's impact on the game cannot be denied.
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