French International soccer player Kylian Mbappe just left the country of his father’s origin, Cameroon, which is also the country that birthed one of the world’s deadliest strikers and attackers, Samuel Eto’o.
Kylian Mbappe, 24, made a triumphant entry into Cameroon in a journey which would last three days. He was well-received and the reception was quite notable.
Many have wondered why Mbappe received such an embrace whereas other players of Cameroonian descent playing abroad have not received that similar warm-hearted welcome during their visit(s) to Cameroon. At this point, the only answer could be that Mbappe is Mbappe and the other players are who they are.
While the World Cup winner and Paris St Germain forward was having fun and doing his charity activities during his visit to Cameroon, conspiracy theorists were laying foundations of criticism, using Mbappe’s homecoming to aim at retired soccer star Samuel Eto’o.
Meanwhile, Samuel Eto’o has been restless ever-since he took over as president of the Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot). The past few weeks have not been easy for the Federation, with internal disputes that cannot be fully explained in this article.
The same conspiracy theorists used the fact that Samuel Eto’o, who is a huge fan of, Mbappe, was not and did get involved with the coming of Mbappe to his country – Cameroon, a country where Eto’o is at the helm of soccer activities.
Some termed Eto’s lack of involvement in Mbappe’s “moment” (a trip special to him as he connected with his paternal roots) as “jealousy”, and that the former Indomitable Lions captain is jealous of the French international and of the attention his trip was getting. This brings us to the next part of the article.
Why would Samuel Eto’o be jealous of Kylian Mbappe?
For starters, Mbappe is a French national and not Cameroonian. His journey to his father’s country only lasted for a few days, and is an international soccer star. It only natural that people would be excited to see him visit Cameroon. Eto’o in his soccer prime days, always received standing ovations and royal treatment during his trips to Cameroon and still receives such treatment even though he no longer plays soccer.
Secondly, not to take away from Mbappe’s amazing achievements, when it comes to soccer, Mbappe cannot be mentioned where Eto’o’s name is mentioned, whether on or off the pitch. Why then would Eto’o be jealous of Mbappe?
For those watching from afar, don’t be swayed by moments that are short lived and there will always be a group of Cameroonians who are quick to disrespecting Eto’o’s legacy by analyzing situations they have no firsthand information about. After all, Eto’o is an internally acclaimed and very well respected soccer star with statistics and records to prove it.
He is Africa’s best player of all time and the only player to win back-to-back champions League trebles. Eto’o has won numerous titles and his long list of accomplishments is one that can not be overlooked even though he has not won a World Cup. He is currently serving as a FIFA ambassador.
How do you put the two names in the same conversation if you’re not using Eto’o’s journey to inspire Mbappe to become better than what he already is? Eto’o was and is still an inspiration to many African players and players of African descent in Europe.
Saying Samuel is jealous of Mbappe was one of the funniest statements I have heard this year. I was however impressed that the Fecafoot president did not let the rumors get to him
