Cameroon and African football icon Samuel Eto’o Fils has announced his retirement from the game after 22 years during which he played for 13 clubs.
Eto’o started out at his native Cameroon before moving to Spain joining Real Madrid. He went on to play for Leganes, Mallorca, Espanyol and Barcelona where he flourished.
He later moved to Inter Milan in Italy, Anzi Makhachakla in Russia, Chelsea and Everton in England and ended his European stint In Turkey.
Eto’o took to social media on Friday evening to announce the end of an outstanding career. He is regarded as one of the best African footballers ever.
“THE END. TOWARDS A NEW CHALLENGE …Thank you all big love, adrenaline.” he posted.
Football fans a cross the globe have taken to social media to celebrate the striker.
Samuel Eto’o Retires!
Started as the youngest ever player in the 1998 World Cup for Cameroon at the age of 17
4 World Cups
56 goals in 118 for Country
359 goals in 718 Club Games
22 years in the round leather game
Celebration the Legend#EtooTheGreat#SaturdayMotivation pic.twitter.com/WK2mFDxu9y
— Kenneth Cole (@iamkennethcole) September 7, 2019
#AFCON highest goal scorer and Cameroonian international forward, Samuel Eto'o retired from football at the age of 38.
Thanks for the memories legend. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/X3g0Ltaiol
— MOLATsportgist 🇳🇬 (@Monsurah1412) September 7, 2019
https://twitter.com/FootbaII_HQ/status/1170286976597155840?s=19
Samuel Eto'o (@setoo9) retires. One of
the, if not the best #9 of his
generation. Dominated everywhere
he went. At @chelseafc he gave me a
hat trick against man utd to be more
fanatic to the game. Thank you for
everything you freaking legend.— Kwame Kantinka, Jr. (@KingKantinka) September 7, 2019
Samuel Eto’o is the best African footballer ever! Congratulations to him on his retirement. He had an exemplary career and was there for the African community in Spain for many years! pic.twitter.com/PCceXdOfi6
— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) September 7, 2019
Samuel Eto'o retires from professional Football.
🏟️ 718 Games.
⚽ 359 Goals, ✔️ 116 Assists.
🏆 22 Trophies.
4x CAF Footballer of the Year.
3x UEFA Champions League Winner.
3x La Liga Winner.
2x AFCON Winner.
1x Serie A.
1 Olympic Gold.
2x Copa del Rey.
2 Coppa Italia. pic.twitter.com/u2VLufGoQS
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) September 7, 2019
Never forget Samuel Eto'o's iconic goal celebration back in 2014 in response to a Jose Mourinho jibe about being too old.
He scored in a 4-0 win over Tottenham by doing an 'old man' celebration, bent over and walking slowly with an imaginary cane towards the corner flag.
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 7, 2019