Eto’o noted that the country went through such humiliation because there is not much love for the fatherland.
His statement reads: “Dear brothers, I understand you. Many of you were not born in Cameroon and have never played for a club in Cameroon.
The advice of a Cameroonian coach is beneficial to a footballer from the start of his career until the end. You who were born there have too many rights over the leaders. Cameroon taught me that I am a soldier within the National team. I will die with this spirit.
Cameroon has just gone through humiliation just because love for the Fatherland is not 100% there.Excuse me for talking about myself. I could play two matches on the same day for the love of our beautiful country. I did it, Roger Milla did it and François Omam Biyick did it.
Do you believe that Cameroon paid us more than our clubs? Not even 1/10 of what we received elsewhere.
You play with too many reserves, what are you afraid of? Dying for the homeland surpasses all the money on this earth. Manga Onguené broke his foot for this country, he was better than me at the time. He continues to respect his country despite everything.
What I remember from you this Friday. We made a mistake bringing you in to play for the flag. But after the AFCON, things will change. We are going to do a patriotism test before having young Cameroonians play in the National team. Good continuity in the competition!”
As a member of the Cameroon national team, Eto’o was a part of the squad that won the Gold Medal at the 2000 Olympics. He also won the Africa Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002. Eto’o has participated in four World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations. He is the all-time leading scorer in the history of the Africa Cup of Nations, with 18 goals, and is Cameroon’s all-time leading scorer and third most capped player, with 56 goals in 118 caps.
Eto’o announced his retirement from international football in August 2014.
On 11 December 2021, Eto’o was elected President of the Cameroon Football Federation.