Can Samuel Eto’o return to the indomitable Lions?

Samuel Eto’o announced the end of his international career, August 29, and later signed an engagement with Everton FC (England, Premier League. On this epilogue of a somewhat complicated love story between the Cameroon star and the indomitable Lions, there have emerged varying opinions.

Apparently,this is not the first time that Samuel Eto has announced the end of his international career with the Lions... but is it really the last one? On 26 August, in an interview he gave to Jeune Afrique, Jean II Makoun, one of his relatives, had been doubtful about the future of the star in the den.

The announcement by Eto'o on his Twitter account surprised his compatriot Dany Nounkeu, Galatasaray Defender in Istanbul Granada. "I think he is just tired", he said.

The last months were complicated for him. He may be a great player, but above all he is a human being. In my opinion, he has made the right decision. And he wants to devote himself to his new club, to his family," adds Nounkeu, who does not deny the tensions within the workforce, particularly between the new Toffees striker and a few frames of the selection, including Alex Song and Stéphane Mbia.

His departure is going to release some players. "Yes, it's true, there are tensions, but this is the case in all teams, in all families."

According to a former Cameroonian international, the announcement of the international retirement of the top scorer in the history of Lions (55 goals in 116 appearances) is not strange after the appointment of Stéphane Mbia as captain and Vincent Aboubakar and Maxim Choupo-Moting as Vice-captains.

This decision comes from the Minister of sport. When a Minister designates a captain and two Vice-captains, it is for them to play better. I think that this has upset Samuel. Perhaps this influenced his decision. His departure will release some players. Some felt suffocated by his presence, his aura..."

On his part, Patrick Mboma admits he did not expect the decision from Eto'o. "after the world cup in Brazil, I had the opportunity to speak to him briefly. He regretted the past six years which made it difficult enough in the selection, but he also spoke of the Russia 2018 World Cup... He wanted to be the captain of the team, but sometimes he had a little too much on his mind," explains the ex-buteur of the indomitable Lions.

Pierre Lechantre, the former coach of Cameroon, is convinced that the retirement of his former player is not definitive. "If he scores goals with Everton, if he plays regularly, he will be recalled. Even on one leg, he will be useful to the Lions. "And his return will be required, because he likes his country more than everything."