Cameroon football legend Roger Milla has said three-time African player of the year Samuel Eto’o has not lived up to expectation for his country.
“He has given a lot to Barcelona and Inter Milan but has never proved anything with the national team,” Milla said in a story run by the French news agency (AFP).
It is the latest onslaught by the star of Cameroon’s 1990 World Cup campaign in Italy on the man widely seen to be his successor on the country’s football stage. Last year, Milla blamed Eto’o for the confusion that reigned within the Indomitable Lions under former head coach, Otto Pfister.
He has now attributed the team’s current poor run of form on the captain – - -Samuel Eto’o.
“He maltreated the other members of the squad; something that has never happened in the national team,” Milla said in reference to rumours that Eto’o was rude to some of his team-mates in the dressing room at January’s Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Angola. “Cameroon is still waiting to see him act,” he added.
CONFLICT OF GENERATIONS
Eto’o, three time winner of the UEFA Champions League trophy, has not yet responded to what seems to have become a battle of generations on who is the Cameroon’s most successful footballer.
After Milla’s severe criticism of the Inter Milan player at the end of 2009, Eto’o is understood to have caused the Cameroon Football Federation (FECAFOOT) to bar his boyhood hero (Milla) from the Indomitable Lions’ entourage. Milla who is an honorary chairman of FECAFOOT was not even included in the association’s delegation to the AFCON.
Roger Milla, twice African Player of the Year (1976 & 1990), won two AFCON trophies in 1984 and 1988 endeared himself with the Cameroon’s fans for his goals in key matches and most especially for his contribution at the age of 38 to the Lions’ run to the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 1990, which remains their best performance to date in this competition.
He, however, seems to be oblivious of the fact that Eto’o has won two AFCONs in 2000 (where he scored 4 goals) and in 2002 with the Indomitable Lions; was part of the Cameroon’s team Olympic Gold medal winning crop in 2000 (scored a vital goal against Spain in the final and his penalty in the shoot-out that led to victory); was also decisive at the Confederations Cup in 2003 where he scored the winning goal against Brazil in a tournament where Cameroon only faltered at the final (the best African performance in a FIFA senior teams competition).
Milla, who was named Africa’s player of the past 50 years, is undoubtedly a legend who is not afraid to speak his mind. Still, to say that Cameroon’s all time highest goal scorer (43 goals in 92 appearances) who contributed 9 out of 20 goals scored by the country to qualify the team to the 2010 World Cup, has done nothing for his national team is stretching things a bit.
Eto’o's supporters say the 29-year-old has already achieved what Milla did in 42 years with the national team (bar a World Cup quarter-final).
“Milla’s first tournament victory with the national team was at the age of 32, which means if we have to strictly compare what each offered Cameroon by the age of 30 Milla cannot compare with Eto’o. Milla was great and he should please, respect himself,” an Eto’o fan said on a Cameroon internet forum.
WORLD CUP DOUBTS
The 58-year-old Roving Ambassador also reserved a few scathing remarks for the current head coach of his darling national team, saying the Africa Cup of Nations was a disaster which does not inspire confidence for the coming World Cup.
“I didn’t agree with Paul Le Guen’s list of 30 [players short-listed for the World Cup]… People are bitter and they doubt Le Guen,” he said.
He was more graceful about his past and how he brought some joy to Cameroonians when he scored a goal at the age of 42 when Russia trounced Cameroon 6-1 in the 1994 World Cup in the USA.
Milla also believes, his dancing by the post on every goal he scored at the World Cup (see video above) was the first and best of all time.
“It was spontaneous, I hadn’t prepared it. Now, people hop around, imitate robots, it’s all prepared stuff and nothing to do with dance.”
Milla is telling the truth. If Milla were to live all over again, he will do better than Eto’o. Remember football was not as developed in his days as it is today. Milla was the kind of player who could mull out Cameroon from a tight corner but Eto’o has never made the difference when we very much need it. I don’t remember a match where Eto’o has ever scored the lone goal or equalized at a crucial moment or score a vital winning goal for Cameroon to carry the day. I believe Mboma was far more vital for the National team than Eto’o has been and I believe that’s why Milla has never addressed any scathing remark to Mboma.
In fact I very much accept your point. U know people hate those who often speak the truth and that’s what just Milla did. People say Milla did not play as much when he was Eto’O's age I wonder what Eto’O will play whaen he will get to the age of the existing African Football legend.
Let’s make no mistake. Milla is not a bad guy, neither does he hate Eto’o. He is just stupid and dull. This is the Milla syndrome. I bet he is the dullest footballer that ever lived. That is a record as well. Please, don’t blame him, feel sorry instead. His level of dullness seems to be a disease.
Valentine,
That’s being quite hard on the “old lion”…
I want to buy what valentine Said. I think a reasonable Roving Ambasador will meet his boys in thier camping ground, there he could shout and then advise them but since he is dull he went rushing his mouth and distabilizing the team. I don’t in anyway favour Eto’o for his actions but I think Mr. Milla should seek advice before making statements that could bring disunity in the squard.
Other old Lions like Songo Jacque can bost of their offspring who injected some steam in the national team. Mr. Milla where is your own to continue what you left undone, eg bringing the world Cup to Cameroon?
Next time Think before you talk, otherwise remain silent
Valentine or who so ever u called ur self, who is now more foolish than the other u and Milla? don’t u know that expressing such bitter words to somebody who has open cameroon to the entire world is making big fool of ur self? am sorry, the hero simply expressed truth which any reasonable person can understand his points. person like Boma should have more respect with the national team than the so call Eto’o who only determined for his clubs. i ve more evidence to prove Eto’o nonaset to the team but my time is short thanks.
Hey Hey Hey, the wrong thing to do in trying to take the Ambassador’s corner in this debate, is running down Eto’o. Samuel may have his bad habits but he remains our best goal scorer in a decade.
What is most troubling is the moment Milla chose to beat his chest. I saw his anti Eto’o comments pasted on the French Channnel info sport while other men expected to do much in South Africa were meticulously preparing. Why that approach? Let him get out the way!
Interesting question Del Blanco…
Most of us see this thing as a typical African mentality,no matter the age when one never praises his neighbour,u dont want ya brother to grow.eto o has exceeds expectation,recruited in the national team at the age of 12.Its just a poor African mentality,maradona says messi is more than him eventhou, messi is still to prove in his national team,sorry milla,u were exploited in football not etoo,s fault,u were stupid,sorry
Truth they say is bitter, but must be spoken. Our honourable legend has just explain his view just like any one else would’ve done. Cameroonians must not react negatively. Though Cameroonians must praised Eto’O Fils for the glory given us Cameroonians, more is still expected of him. What Pa Milla has said has nothing to do with hatred, I hope. On the contrary, Eto’O Fils should use such comment from an old Lion to proof his worth. ‘Yes Eto’O Can’. Milla did what he could in his days, and it has nothing to do with either intelligence and/or dullness, contrary as someone did retorted. Its also a truism that Eto’o has to protect his feet, no doubt, but Cameroonians are also privilege to derive some degree of joy from their darling football jugglers in the likes of Eto’O and Co.
Long Live Indomitable Lion of cameroon
Long Live Cameroon
How much were those watches the captain gave to each member of the national team, sounds like I’m going to bribe u to like me. The old Cameroon syndrome. Rigobert Song used inspirational play to motivate the team, legendary Milla used wisdom to have an impact when it most counted. Samuel Eot’o might have a bunch of goals and championships but we all know he plays with the best. See this is like Kobey proving to us that I dont need him to be a champion. So Eto’o prove to us that u dont need all those well assembled professionals to have an impact when it matters most, because u are only rembered by your impact at that critical moment. even Kobey studies the old time greats, so I suggest Eto’o study the old time legends. Bouba said it best can he bring unity like the old time greats?
Hey folks, This Milla and Eto’o saga has been the talk of the week.i wonder why milla chose to bring this up at this critical time.Bros,football has to do with very high consentration and if a player is not at his peak mentality then the goods might not be bought.Eto’o should be made to stay at peace and not having sleepless nights from his won fellow childhood idol and countryman Milla.IThis paints a picture of how backward our mentality is.If there is anything(FECAFOOT) cameroon can do is just to send Milla to a coaching school and we wait his graduation for the next coach of the lions.I hope Eto’o works on his moral as to get this saga behind him.Milla is an idiot.”petit frere no worry weh deh for ya back”
hi little boy u should learn to talk like a true son of cameroon that u are.we should look at what the old lion has siad if he is correct or not rather than using immoral words to him cameroon is for all of us.on a more serious note the legend is right on what he has said the young man eto has insulted cameroon by saying the world cup is meaningless to his career is that right for a man who we all chear him up when ever he is playing in his clubs in europe?the young man has not proving his worth as a true son of his father.
Why is this old illiterate so jealous, and why does he keep attacking Eto’o every time a competition is coming up? He did this during the nations cup and we see how that affected Eto’o and he is starting again. Milla may have been a legend and he shouldn’t let jealousy ruin his image in the eyes of cameroonians. What will help keep his status will be how he supports and ecourages the team rather than singling out key players for attack. With all Eto’o has achieved, he still says he hasn’t achieved anything and he kept saying he wanted to be like Milla which is such a compliment for an idiot. Eto’o is the best Africa has ever seen and will be for at least the next century. Milla ya time don pass jealousy man.
Valentine, u are the most stupid and ignorant idiot i have evr known. What u fail to understand is that, Milla is a cameroonian citizen. And as a cameroonian and father of the football in cameroon, he has the right to express his views to his children when he sees that they need to do something that will better them and the entire nation. So Valentine take that your miopic and scanty brain and keep to yourself. Saying that another fellow human being lack of mental reasoning or capability is a disease is downright stupid and wrong. Might be u are the one who needs your brains check. Etoo is a good player. I admire him as a good football player. He is not a god that is above constructive criticism. S next time you wrie anything on this blog, u better do that with some knowledge.
Hi folk we should be looking forward for a good World Cup in SouthAfrica,the much talking now is not going to help the Lions of Cameroon.I have been a good fan of the cameroon lions since i got married to my Husband from cameroon.Roger Milla Cameroonians do respect you so you should also respect respect Samuel.
hi my inlaw its nice to see u say such nice words as u have just done but if u should ask me i will say the legend is worried about the man who took his place.the young man eto is not bad and i dont think the legend is saying his is but, that he should make cameroon known to the world more than what the world know of the nation when it comes to football.
If Milla meant well for Eto’o he would not have gone to the French News agency (AFP) to cry foul.He could call ETo’o and talk to him even scold if he must. The place and time where he did this is so wrong, does showing his level of immaturity. Milla is a Legend yes we accept but Eto’o is doing his best. Eto’o played well for FC Barca and Inter milan but does not render to his country so Milla says. I do not deny this but the question I ask is do those in attack line and the midfield of our national team play as good as those in the teams mentioned above? Also look at the squad of the 1990′s it was a complete squad with the likes of Kunde E , J.C Pagal, Makanaki,Omam and brother, Tatoh S were all round pegs in round holes but today not the case. So Milla and Cameroonians should should help build a befitting national team and not spend their time condeming. When you criticise you should be able to propose solution.
I pray Eto’o does what is required of him come 14 june 2010.
What a comment i respect ur sense of macturity may GOD bless u with more wisdom.
Well the legend is not wrong rather he is not also right bc, this he should have said it early enough rather than to wait at this time when we are just a few day to the show, and the place of his crities too is not the best as a father of cameroon fottball he was sopose to look before leaping.ETO is wrong to have said what he just said bc it is treasm againgst cameroon to say the world cup is meaning less to his career and treten to leave the team what he should know is that cameroon is greater than anybody.
I’m not so concern with what ever criticism Milla must have made to Eto Fils .We should be more specifice and go straight to bring out solutions to our beloved team that is almost ravaging with the on giong friendly matches because every single match played enters foodball archives as well as the fact that no magnificient difference could occur with what they are performing now as they will also do the same thing when the competition begins .I belive that Paul leguen has forgotten the squote that liberated us to take part in this world cup when it was certain that the lions were already off to take part in the competition but he came and drew up a line up which made the lions to come back on the front line.If he could draw the shame line up for the world cup in south Africa ;and make just few changes the lions will do same as they did with Congo for the qualificatin matches.
We may criticize Milla’s comments and that it was untimely. We are quick to point out Eto’os success and fail to recoqnise the one and most important point Milla was making; ‘That of commitment’. I do no see Eto’o fighting for the ball like he does for Barcelona, and Inter. Each time he comes to the national time, it is about him. Because he is not hailed at Barcelona or Inter, he feels, the cameroon national team is were he should be proud. I should be respected, i should not be criticized. I am the best all time goal scorer of the African nations cup. I am Eto’o and must be respected. That is what Milla finds offensive. That has been proving today by a poor showing not only of Eto’o but the entire cabal of lazy players, who want to use the world cup to sign better contracts. This is made worse by a foolish frecnhman who sticks to a failing game plan for 90 minute. How can Cameroon be playing defensive footbal against Japan. Eto’o and others received their 45million bonus and could not deliver. If the bonus was not paid, they would be crying like babies. Useless coach and useless players from bakc to front. Eliminate the bastards Danemark.
When Eto’o threatened to abandon the worldcup, was he not strengthening the criticism Milla leveled against him; which is lack of commitment for the team? It is about Eto’os career not about eh national team
Kammerunnais YOU GUYS ARE REALLY MAD.MILLA KEEP SPEAKING YOUR MIND IF ETO’O IS ANGRY LET HIM BEAT MILLA’S RECORD. ETO’O WILL NEVER BE A UNIFIER.I DON’T CARE HOW GOOD HE MIGHT BE,HIS ARROGANCE KEEP ON BRINGING BAD SPIRIT TO THE TEAM. CAMEROONIANS KNOW JUST ONE SPORT”SOCCER”WHICH THEY DON’T EVEN KNOW HOW TO PLAY.MILLA TRIED HIS BEST.
Jesco you hit the nail on the head. Now that south Africa 2010 is over and we are left licking our wounds I would like to ask the so called Eto can do no wrong fan club a simple question; how many goals did Eto score for Cameroon in their three matches? None except for taking penalty spot kicks to score. The Japanese player Dasuki Honda single handedly out played and out classed the almighty Samuel Eto right on African soil.
Eto is only effective if he is passed the ball in the right position, he honestly lacks strong technical skills but sure knows how to score goals under the right circumstances. Eto’o can hardly create his own goal scoring opportunity.
He lacks good passing skills and lacks the rugged physical fitness of a great player. Compare Milito to Eto in the Italian Serie “A” they both play for the same club Milito is a better striker than Eto when it comes to scoring goals, Milito is more technically sound compared to Eto.
As Jesco rightfully stated when has Eto’ ever scored crucial goals for Cameroon? Milla did just that throughout his career playing for the indomitable Lions. Every time Milla was called back to play for Cameroon it was always in crucial matches that everything for Cameroon depended on winning that match, and true to form Milla always relentlessly found creative ways to score goals.
Cameroonians generally tend to be subjectively blinded and not objective whenever objectivity is needed. Na Cameroon dat complication, complication, complication
If i remember very well, The last time i checked, Eto was the all time AFCON highest goal scorer and the highest goal scorer in the Cameroon national team.
ETO’O is a wonderful player both in Europe and in the National team. He is bound to perform better in Europe than in the Cameroon national team because of the quality of players he plays with in Europe. In Barcelona he had the likes of Messi,Xavi and Yaya Toure supplying the balls and he was delivering the goals. In Cameroon he plays with Idrissou, Webo etc what do you expect from such a combination.
In those days when we had Etame, Foe(may his soul rest in Peace) and Njitap playing at the center, Eto’o and Mboma were scoring the goals at every giving opportunity. Lets stop blaming Eto when all the other players are there misfiring. I think the pressure is too much on him.