Although the Ballon d’Or eluded him during his playing time, the Cameroon legend feels he is the best African player ever

Former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o has insisted he is the best African player in history.

The 38-year-old had an illustrious career where he won 18 major trophies, including three Champions Leagues and two Africa Cup of Nations titles as well as an Olympic gold medal.

Eto’o was named the African Player of the Year four times but failed to win the Ballon d’Or, with his best placing being in the 2005 edition where he finished third.

Eto’o believes he was the best player from the continent, given his achievements during his playing time for his country and the various clubs he played for.

“I don’t need to lay claim to anything, it’s just a fact. Whether you accept it or not, it’s a fact,” Eto’o told AFP.

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion. You know, as an African, you are always being judged. What is unacceptable is that the first people to do it are always the Africans. They can’t take anything away from me because I am proud to be African.

“When I look at where I came from and how far I got, I tell myself that I am entitled to be proud. That doesn’t mean I am big-headed, far from it. It is just that, in this world, people like puppets and I don’t accept being one.”