Top 12 strikers at the moment (Part 6)
7. Samuel Eto’o:
One of the best strikers to have lived, Samuel Eto’o is a player, who has managed to make his mark in the best strikers of the world. He was simply nothing when he started his career but the Cameroonian, with the help of his pace and power, managed to score a lot of goals for his side and managed to be one of the best strikers in the world.
Whenever someone talks about Eto’o, the first that comes to anyone’s mind is definitely his pace. His quick feet helped him become what he is today and that is, a lethal striker. With Samuel Eto’o upfront, the team only needs to feed him good through balls so that he can manage to score goals.
The Cameroonian started his career from the Spanish Real Madrid but did not really manage to settle into the team and was sent out on loan. He gained experienced for three years as he was on loan for a long time until he was sold to the Spanish club Mallorca. Mallorca, at that time, wasn’t a very tough team but he still managed to score a lot of goals for his side. In only 133 appearances he managed to score 54 goals which is definitely a good record for the Spanish club. They haven’t really played too many good strikers but Samuel Eto’o was definitely one of the best players that have played for them. In 2004, Eto’o was bought by Real Madrid’s Spanish rivals, Barcelona. Barcelona were a powerhouse back then, especially with players like Ronaldinho included in their squad and then it was Samuel Eto’o who started making a name for himself.
In Barcelona, Eto’o was categorized as a difference maker as he managed to outrun all the oppositions’ defences and managed to score a lot of goals for the club. The Cameroonian’s pace and power helped him outrun defenders and helped him run along with the ball and that is how he managed to score goals for his side.
When Barcelona had to face their toughest side, Real Madrid; Samuel Eto’o and Ronaldinho were the two players who helped the team win. With Eto’o’s great finishing ability and with Ronaldinho’s great passing, the two were able to put their flags on the ground as they helped Barcelona win the away leg to Santiago Bernabeu and also helped the team to win the Spanish La Liga.
After a few years, Ronaldinho departed from the club and went on to join the Italian club AC Milan while Lionel Messi came in charge and took the number 10 jersey. With players like Lionel Messi alongside Eto’o, Barcelona managed to win a lot of titles.
In 2006, Arsenal were the team who went one on one with Barcelona and even though it was the English side who managed to score the first goal, Samuel Eto’o’s equalizer helped the team make a memorable comeback while Beletti’s goal sealed the deal for the Spanish Champions as Barcelona raised their hands in victory.
Later, the Arsenal player Thierry Henry made his way to Barcelona and helped Eto’o score more goals while Lionel Messi and Xavi were the two players who also add to the “assists” lists when it comes down to Eto’o’s goals.
After helping Barcelona win 6 trophies in the same season, Samuel Eto’o was all set to leave the club. He managed to score 108 goals in only 145 appearances, and he definitely holds a record in the club’s history. He was involved in a swap deal with the Inter Milan sensation Zlatan Ibrahomvic, who was to come to the Nou Camp while Samuel Eto’o was to leave for San Siro.
Rumours say that it wasn’t because he didn’t enjoy football in Spain, it was because of the Racism that he used to face. Back in his time, there was a match against Real Zaragoza and whenever he used to have the ball at his feet, he used to get chanted over his skin colour. He then walked out of the pitch and sat on the sideline while the rest of the players wanted him to continue.
Later, Eto’o left for Inter Milan but there he wasn’t as much a success as he was at Barcelona. Many people still think that the move was wrong but now what’s done is done. However, Eto’o helped the Italian team win the Italian League and also the greatest stage of them all, the UEFA Champions League.
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