Africa’s most decorated player, Eto’o, ends international career

Samuel Eto’o has called time on his international career with Cameroon.

The four-time African footballer of the year confirmed his retirement from international football just days after he was stripped of the captaincy of the national side.

Capped 116 times, Eto’o won two Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2000 and 2008, a competition in which he is the all-time leading scorer with 18 goals. He is Cameroon’s record scorer with 56 goals.

“I wish to inform you that I put a definitive end to my international career,” Eto’o said on his official Facebook page.

“On this occasion, I wish to thank all Africans in particular and all my fans around the world for their love and unconditional support. Find here the expression of my deep gratitude.”

Eto’o, who was not named in Cameroon’s 25-man squad for the qualifiers for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations which begins in September, played his last game for The Indomitable Lions during their mediocre World Cup campaign in Brazil.

On Tuesday, the 33-year-old signed a two-year-contract with English Premier League side Everton.

He played just one match – a 1-0 defeat to Mexico – in his fourth World Cup campaign. He was in the 1998, 2002, and 2010 squads.

His biggest triumph with the national side was winning Olympic gold in Sydney in 2000. He scored in the final against Spain to take the match to extra-time, also slotting home his kick in the penalty shoot-out victory.

Despite his failure to inspire his team in the World Cup, he won trophies with all his clubs, including Champions League titles – two with Barcelona and one with Inter Milan. He was the top scorer in La Liga in 2006.

Eto’o made his international debut in 1997 during a 5-0 defeat to Costa Rica. He leaves international football as Africa’s most decorated player.