Samuel Eto'o has played down reports suggesting he should be considered Africa's greatest ever player.
Cameroonian striker reflects on historic award
Samuel Eto'o has played down reports suggesting he should be considered Africa's greatest ever player.
The Cameroon and Inter Milan striker made history last week when he was named African Player of the Year for a fourth time.
No player before him has enjoyed such success, marking him out as a special talent.
Eto'o saw off competition from Chelsea forward Didier Drogba and Sunderland frontman Asamoah Gyan to land the 2010 award, with his fine work for club and country rightly recognised.
He has now passed legendary names such as Abedi Pele and George Weah, who took the title on three occasions, in Africa's Hall of Fame, having previously secured the crown in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Eto'o, though, is keen to avoid any comparisons with superstars from the past and insists he does not consider himself to be Africa's standout performer.
Challenges
"To win footballer of the year four times is to create a new record but I don't think it gives me the right to say I am the best," he told
www.cafonline.com.
"There were greats in previous generations who had different challenges and situations to me.
"You can't really compare."
Eto'o accepted his latest award with dignity, suggesting that he should make the most of his time in the spotlight as he may not enjoy such acclaim again.
He continued: "It is a pleasure to be a winner again, to take it for the fourth time against such top opposition.
"Africa now has so many good players and there is lots of talent coming up, so this might be a last chance for me."
