Eto’o goes down in Barça history as “the indomitable lion”, the forward who never gave up. For 5 years he was the team’s target man, and the host of titles won were, to a massive extent, thanks to the crucial goals he scored.
-Seasons at club: 2004-2009
-Games played: 232
-Goals scored: 152
-Titles:
2 Champions League (2005/06 i 2008/09)
3 Leagues (2004/05, 2005/06 i 2008/09)
1 Copa del Rey (2008/09)
2 Spanish Super Cups (2005/06 i 2006/07)
2 Copa Catalunya (2004/05 i 2006/07)
-Games played: 232
-Goals scored: 152
-Titles:
2 Champions League (2005/06 i 2008/09)
3 Leagues (2004/05, 2005/06 i 2008/09)
1 Copa del Rey (2008/09)
2 Spanish Super Cups (2005/06 i 2006/07)
2 Copa Catalunya (2004/05 i 2006/07)
He was on target in both the Champions League finals of Paris 2006 and Rome 2009.
Eto’o (Nkon, Cameroon, 1981) signed for Barça in August 2004 from Mallorca after a long tug of war with Real Madrid, who held the rights to the player. It was not long before it became evident just what an astute buy he was, as he became a nightmare for opposing goalkeepers. A fighter until the end, and a man for whom goalscoring was an art that ran in his blood.
Thanks to assists from the likes of Deco, Ronaldinho, Iniesta, Xavi and Messi, the African scored 152 goals in his 232 games in a Barça jersey. An astounding figure that makes him one of the most prolific strikers in club history. His 108 goals in 144 league outings make him the third highest league goalscorer on the club records, a tally only topped by César and Kubala.
With 130 goals in 199 games, he is also ranked third for goals in official matches, again behind only César and Kubala and tied with Rivaldo. He was league top scorer in 2004/05 (with 25 goals, hence tied with Forlán) and 2005/06 (with 26 goals).
Top 10 Samuel Eto'o Moments At Barcelona
Three Primera Division titles, two Spanish Supercups, Two UEFA Champions Leagues, A Copa del Rey, and the Pichichi trophy. The majority of footballers would struggle to amass such an impressive haul in their entire careers, but Samuel Eto’o has achieved stupendous feats within the game and is still only 28.
Ever since his arrival at the Camp Nou in 2004, Eto’o has been Barcelona’s main goal threat and the focus of their attacking prowess.
10) Debut and first goal – August 29 2004
After intense negotiations with Real Mallorca and Real Madrid, and with Chelsea and Valencia also chasing his signature, the Cameroonian sealed a €20m switch to Barcelona. In his first match versus Racing Santander, the Catalan giants secured a 2-0 victory and Eto’o bagged both goals in the victory.
9) The title drought ends – May 14 2005
Barcelona were within inches of their first league title in six years, and thanks to a 1-1 draw against Levante, they got the vital point they needed. Of course, it was Eto’o who grabbed the equaliser on the hour mark, and he managed 24 Primera Division goals in Frank Rijkaard’s second season in charge.
8) Prisoner of his words – May 16 2005
Just days after Barca’s league triumph, Eto’o celebrated in the city a little too heartily. He raced to the microphone during the celebrations, crying, “[Real] Madrid, bastards, meet the champions.”
His ill-advised remarks led to Eto’o being fined €12,000 by the Spanish Football Federation and a grovelling apology from the embarrassed forward.
7) 3-0 win in the Bernabeu – November 19, 2005
The victory may be remembered by most for the genius and mastery of Ronaldinho, but the standing ovation the Brazilian received for his inspired display may never have happened had Eto’o not poked home a brilliant opening goal to kick off the rout.
6) Stand up to racism – February 25 2006
Eto’o has always been unflinching in the face of racist oppression from the terraces, and on this particular evening at La Romerada the barrage of taunting almost forced him to leave the field of play. The Zaragoza fans continued to defame the forward with monkey chants and horrific insults, and he had to be convinced to finish the match. Ironically, his potential new teammate Mario Balotelli has also been the subject of racial slurs in Serie A.
5) Parisian Glory – May 17 2006
Frank Rijkaard led Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph since 1992, and Eto’o’s vital equaliser in the second half turned the tide against a dogged ten-man Arsenal side. He slid the ball past Manuel Almunia from close range, securing the man of the match award, and in the same season he clinched the Pichichi Trophy in the Pimera Division.
4) Four goal haul – November 8, 2008
Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona made a habit of ruthlessly destroying sides on their way to the Primera Division title last season, and Valladolid felt the full force of the Blaugrana as their campaign began to take shape. Eto’o of course was at the heart of the goalmouth action, netting four times from close range in a superb 6-0 victory.
3) 100 up – But how many more to come? – February 14, 2009
Barcelona found themselves 2-0 down in a difficult away trip to Real Betis before Eto’o came to the fore, igniting their comeback by halving the deficit six minutes from time. Upon netting he sprinted across to the dugout to remonstrate with Guardiola, and the pair engaged in a heated exchange. He returned to the centre circle after achieving his 100th goal for the Blaugrana, but raised doubts over his relationship with his coach.
2) Appreciation and Dedication – May 23, 2009
After two years in the shadow of Real Madrid, Barcelona claimed the league and cup double within a week of each other amid wild scenes in the city. Eto’o made sure that Joan Laporta and Josep Guardiola were acknowledged for their efforts during the season, and for giving him the opportunity to remain with the club for another season.
1) Farewell Goal....? – May 27, 2009
If the image of Eto’o turning Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic inside out, before sliding the ball under the advancing Edwin van der Sar is the enduring memory of his time with Barcelona, then it would be a fitting tribute to his achievements for the Catalan club. His goal triggered a momentous 2-0 win over the English champions to be crowned Kings of Europe, and sealed an unprecedented Triplete in Spanish football history.
Top 10 Samuel Eto'o Moments At Barcelona
Three Primera Division titles, two Spanish Supercups, Two UEFA Champions Leagues, A Copa del Rey, and the Pichichi trophy. The majority of footballers would struggle to amass such an impressive haul in their entire careers, but Samuel Eto’o has achieved stupendous feats within the game and is still only 28.
Ever since his arrival at the Camp Nou in 2004, Eto’o has been Barcelona’s main goal threat and the focus of their attacking prowess.
10) Debut and first goal – August 29 2004
After intense negotiations with Real Mallorca and Real Madrid, and with Chelsea and Valencia also chasing his signature, the Cameroonian sealed a €20m switch to Barcelona. In his first match versus Racing Santander, the Catalan giants secured a 2-0 victory and Eto’o bagged both goals in the victory.
9) The title drought ends – May 14 2005
Barcelona were within inches of their first league title in six years, and thanks to a 1-1 draw against Levante, they got the vital point they needed. Of course, it was Eto’o who grabbed the equaliser on the hour mark, and he managed 24 Primera Division goals in Frank Rijkaard’s second season in charge.
8) Prisoner of his words – May 16 2005
Just days after Barca’s league triumph, Eto’o celebrated in the city a little too heartily. He raced to the microphone during the celebrations, crying, “[Real] Madrid, bastards, meet the champions.”
His ill-advised remarks led to Eto’o being fined €12,000 by the Spanish Football Federation and a grovelling apology from the embarrassed forward.
7) 3-0 win in the Bernabeu – November 19, 2005
The victory may be remembered by most for the genius and mastery of Ronaldinho, but the standing ovation the Brazilian received for his inspired display may never have happened had Eto’o not poked home a brilliant opening goal to kick off the rout.
6) Stand up to racism – February 25 2006
Eto’o has always been unflinching in the face of racist oppression from the terraces, and on this particular evening at La Romerada the barrage of taunting almost forced him to leave the field of play. The Zaragoza fans continued to defame the forward with monkey chants and horrific insults, and he had to be convinced to finish the match. Ironically, his potential new teammate Mario Balotelli has also been the subject of racial slurs in Serie A.
5) Parisian Glory – May 17 2006
Frank Rijkaard led Barcelona to their first European Cup triumph since 1992, and Eto’o’s vital equaliser in the second half turned the tide against a dogged ten-man Arsenal side. He slid the ball past Manuel Almunia from close range, securing the man of the match award, and in the same season he clinched the Pichichi Trophy in the Pimera Division.
4) Four goal haul – November 8, 2008
Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona made a habit of ruthlessly destroying sides on their way to the Primera Division title last season, and Valladolid felt the full force of the Blaugrana as their campaign began to take shape. Eto’o of course was at the heart of the goalmouth action, netting four times from close range in a superb 6-0 victory.
3) 100 up – But how many more to come? – February 14, 2009
Barcelona found themselves 2-0 down in a difficult away trip to Real Betis before Eto’o came to the fore, igniting their comeback by halving the deficit six minutes from time. Upon netting he sprinted across to the dugout to remonstrate with Guardiola, and the pair engaged in a heated exchange. He returned to the centre circle after achieving his 100th goal for the Blaugrana, but raised doubts over his relationship with his coach.
2) Appreciation and Dedication – May 23, 2009
After two years in the shadow of Real Madrid, Barcelona claimed the league and cup double within a week of each other amid wild scenes in the city. Eto’o made sure that Joan Laporta and Josep Guardiola were acknowledged for their efforts during the season, and for giving him the opportunity to remain with the club for another season.
1) Farewell Goal....? – May 27, 2009
If the image of Eto’o turning Manchester United defender Nemanja Vidic inside out, before sliding the ball under the advancing Edwin van der Sar is the enduring memory of his time with Barcelona, then it would be a fitting tribute to his achievements for the Catalan club. His goal triggered a momentous 2-0 win over the English champions to be crowned Kings of Europe, and sealed an unprecedented Triplete in Spanish football history.
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