Samuel Eto'o interview to Radio France Internationale after End of career announcement.
I have been to places, I traveled the world, I played alongside very great players and under great managers.
I am happy of what I have achieved in football, I think I am the all-time best African footballer.
The best moment of my career is when I won my First African Cup of Nations in Nigeria in 2000, I was so young at that time, and the youngest in the team.
Before the competition, the coach (Pierre Lechantre) told me I wasn't going to be a starter. But in the end, I earned my place and the team depended mostly on my Goals and performances.
I also remember the night before the final, while in a meeting with our Sports Minister (Joseph Owona) in Surulere, I told him that we aren't going to sleep in Nigeria again. He must charter an airplane because we are going back with the trophy in Cameroon.
He did so, and the next day, we won the Cup and flew back directly to Yaoundé.
How can you explain that neither Sadio Mané, Mohammed Salah will be awarded the ballon d'or this year?
You can't tell me that Mané, Salah or even Aubameyang the top three goalscorers in England won't even make the top five. That's not possible.
Messi and Ronaldo are great players but who were the best in last season? Who won the UEFA Champion's League this year?
Back in 2006 they denied me the award and gave it to Fabio Cannavaro because they said I didn't qualify for the FIFA World Cup with Cameroon.
Right now what's preventing Mane or Salah from winning the award?! The people responsible for that should apply the criteria for everyone not making any discrimination
