Eto'o: A Tribute to A True Barca Legend

Samual Eto’o arrived at the blaugrana in the summer of 2004 after lengthy negotiations with Mallorca and Madrid for 24 million euros at a time when the club was going thorugh its longest drought for major cups in its history of over 110 years. Samu left Barca in the summer of 2009 after half a decade of the most exemplary display of the beautiful game that saw him conquear it all – UEFA Champions league on 2 occasions, 3 league titles, A Copa Del Ray and 2 SuperCopa de Espana with a whole host of individual awards being African Player of the year on an unprecedented 3 occassions, The Pichichi in 2006 and consistently featuring the world XI teams declared by FIFPRO, UEFA and FIFA.

The Cules remember him for his passion, heart and courage he displayed on the pitch year in and year out.The fire he showed on the pitch was something that was missing from display for a long time and led him to becoming one of the most coveted forwards in world football.

His goals were the result of his tremendous attitude. He never stop wanting to win more and more. His winning spirit and the huge demands he made of himself drove him though difficult situations, such as serious injuries that affected his seasons in 2006/07 (when he was injured against Bremen) and 2007/08 (when he was injured in the Gamper, against his future club Inter). But on both occasions he marked his return in the best possible way – by scoring goals.

Here are his top 5 moments from his glorious 5 years in the Barca colours that cememnted his place as a true Barca legend.

Thank you Samuel. We will never forget you.

5) The first Big Title in 6 years – 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.

4) Passion and Disgust for the Club from Madrid– 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.

3) Standing Up to the ugly face of 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.

2) 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 Primera Division.He would have scored in the 11th munute too if he was not brought down by Lehmann who was sent off for the incident outside the box.

1) Conquering Rome-Like a true Gladiator– 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.