When Samuel Eto’o Named the Only Player He Considers Better Than Himself

• Samuel Eto'o played with some legendary players in his illustrious career across Europe's top clubs and won many accolades
• The Cameroonian was on the same team as Ronaldinho and Lionel Messi in the mid 2000s in the latter's emergence and the formers prime
• The two-time AFCON winner has named the best striker he's ever seen ahead of many other players considered GOATS of his generation

Four-time African Footballer of the Year, Samuel Eto’o, once regarded two-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo Nazario as the greatest striker of all time.

Known for his prolific goal-scoring for Brazil and clubs such as Barcelona and Inter Milan, Ronaldo netted hundreds of goals over his 18-year professional career.

Beyond his club achievements, the Brazil legend won two FIFA World Cups in 1994 and 2002, was named FIFA World Player of the Year three times and claimed the Ballon d'Or in 1997 and 2002.

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When asked about the greatest strikers in history, Eto’o, who considers himself the best African player ever, highlighted the Brazilian icon, affectionately known as El Fenomeno.

"The best of all was Ronaldo, 'O Fenomeno',” Eto’o was quoted as saying in a live chat by AS.

“I have such great respect and admiration for him. Then there are a lot of us who come up behind him, and I'd include myself among them.”

Later in his career, the Brazilian striker also played for Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and AC Milan. He is currently the president of Valladolid.

Eto'o played for Barcelona from 2004 to 2009, scoring 130 goals in 199 matches.

During this period, the Cameroonian forward won eight honours, including two Champions League titles. He eventually left for Inter Milan, reportedly due to tensions with Pep Guardiola.

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Before playing for top European clubs, Eto'o won two Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2000 and 2002 with Cameroon, per Transfermarkt. He also won the African Player of the Year award four times,

The 42-year-old announced his retirement from football in 2019. He scored over 350 goals in his club career.

How Mourinho convinced Eto'o to join Inter

Sports Brief earlier reported on how Jose Mourinho convinced Eto'o to join Inter Milan.

Fresh off winning the treble with Barcelona, Eto'o surprised fans of the Catalan club after deciding to join the Italian giants.

Mourinho sent Eto'o a photo of the No. 9 jersey and told him it was waiting for him.