Inheritance football. At 22, Etienne Eto'o is a true round ball enthusiast just like his father. A certain Samuel Eto'o. Cameroonian football legend, the former striker had a brilliant career, marked in particular by his passages to FC Barcelona and Inter Milan. But he also worn the colors of Chelsea, Anzhi, Real Madrid or Mallorca. It was also during his visit to the island club, between 2000 and 2004, that his son Etienne was born. Indeed, he was born in Palma on August 18, 2002. An island where he also took his first steps as a footballer. Passed by Mallorca, he then played at Atlético Baléares, Real Oviedo and Vitoria Guimarães in young categories.
In seniors, he put his suitcases in Poblense in Mallorca, before joining Madrid where he played for the Collado Villalba club and at Rayo Majadahonda. A fairly confidential course on the part of Samuel Eto'o's son. But since last July, his career has taken a new turning point since he signed a season in favor of Rayo Vallecano. Recruited to play with the reserve team of the Madrid suburbs (21 goals in 23 games), he was also integrated into the professional group. On the bench 6 times, he appeared twice on the field since the start of the season. Indeed, he played 15 minutes on October 29 against the CD Villamuriel in the King's Cup. And he participated in the victory of his team 5 to 0 since he scored 1 goal.
A new start at Rayo Vallecano
A few months later, the 1m91 striker made his debut in Liga. It was on February 22 on the occasion of the meeting against Villarreal (defeat 1 to 0). The Cameroonian U23 International (3 capes, 1 goal) had not had a lot of time putting himself in the tooth since he had only played 3 short minutes. But the important thing was elsewhere for Etienne Eto'o. “I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time. All the efforts of my family, my mother and all the people who love me, for this moment to happen, are worth it ”had he admitted very moved. This Thursday, he gave his first big interview in the show Radio Estadio Noche on ONDA CERO. The opportunity to return to the past few months agitated for the one who is gaining power.
“All this year was a dream. I am very grateful to the coach who saw something in me to give me this opportunity. ” But he is aware of returning from afar, after complicated beginnings. “I was not up to Oviedo, I have to do my self -criticism. In Portugal, it was also a difficult period from a personal point of view, another disappointment. It was at this point that my mother told me to go back to Mallorca and I started again from zero by playing for Poblense. ” Then Etienne Eto'o was asked about his ties with his father. “The relationship with him is now very good, this mental stability benefits me a lot because she coincided with my best time.”
He is at the end of the contract this summer
Indeed, they have not always been on good terms and close in the past as he has recognized. But it is ancient history for the young attacker, who is happy with his name and his inheritance. “For me, wearing my father's surname is a source of pride and I know that he is extremely proud and excited by this new stage in my career.” Then, he played the game of comparisons with his father, since they are both attackers. “I am a different attacker, but I have things that come from my father. I have a model at home since I was little, I always knew that I wanted to be a footballer. I saw everything my father was able to achieve from nothing and when I had difficult times, I have always thought of him. ”
And he will necessarily have a thought for him on Sunday afternoon, when sitting on the bench in Santiago-BernabĂ©u to face Real Madrid. A club in which his father played between 1996 and 2000 (he was loaned several times during this period, editor's note). There is no doubt that Samuel Eto'o will also be moved for his son, who took advantage of his good start to the season with the reserve and injuries within the professional group to make a place in the workforce of Iñigo PĂ©rez. “I love her very much. I would like it to stay with us as long as possible, but (if it does not play more often) it is because of the number of players that I, which is important. He will probably have more minutes of play and could even compete with Sergi Guardiola for second place in the attack line. ” At the end of the contract in June, Etienne Eto'o traces his journey to take off this image of “son of” which sticks to his skin and the jersey.
