Youngest African to Play in a World Cup

In the history of African soccer, only one name is famous for being the youngest African to play in a World Cup. We are talking about Samuel Eto’o, a Cameroonian footballer born on March 10, 1981. At age 14, he already earned his first cap with Cameroon on March 9, 1996. He was the youngest participant in the FIFA World Cup on June 17, 1998 at the age of 17 years and three months. He also participated in the 2002 World Cup, winning over Saudi Arabia.

His early club careers include Real Madrid in 1997, then he went on a permanent deal with Mallorca in 2000. He left Mallorca in 2004 when he signed for FC Barcelona. He is currently serving as a Captain of the Cameroonian National Team and plays as a Striker for Italian Serie A club Internazionale. Football career has certainly come a long way for this talented, youngest African to have ever played in a World Cup tournament.

Barcelona Up Against Big Boys of Chelsea

It would be speed against power, with FC Barcelona’s charge lead by Lionel Messi, it’s diminutive playmaker and able forwards Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o against the bigger and stronger Chelsea Blues.

The challenge for Barcelona is to keep up its winning form against Bayern Munich in the first leg match in the last round against well-rested players from Guus Hiddink’s camp led by Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Michael Essien.

But at match time, Chelsea’s defense was able to hold down the Barcelona offense and keep a nil all draw on the first leg of the Champions League semifinals. And this was the first time that the Spanish club was held scoreless since opening day of the Champions League. The highlights were the key saves that the goalkeepers of both clubs made. Victor Valdes’ key stops on the 38^th on a Didier Drogba interception of an errant pass kept the slate clean. As for Barcelona, Petr Cech’s diving save to keep the ball out of the net from a Samuel Eto’o breakaway kept the immaculate shut out safe.

Manchester City Eyeing Eto’o

With its pockets lined with petroeuros, Manchester City is still in the hunt to land a big name to lead its team out of its doldrums. They had previously made offers to Kaka, Ronaldinho and David Villa and now they have set their sights on FC Barcelona’s Samuel Eto’o with a price purchase of £20 million.

The Cameroonian now has the option to stay with his current club at reasonable rates with the makings of becoming a football dynasty not only in the Primera Liga but in other European club championships. This promises of great medals and championship runs, but then the other option is be in Manchester City and be whipping boys but with lots of dough.

But these are but rumours spun as the transfer window is closing soon and Manchester City is losing time and patience to land their star player. The clock is ticking and with players already refusing their offers to come to the Manchester City club, there is no sign of the let up in the club’s thirst for superstardom.

Barcelona Paves The Way In Spanish League

Barcelona paves the way in Spanish League with the trio to play trumps over Numancia 4-1 Saturday.
Messi scored with in the first 49 minutes of the game leaving Eto’o and Henry to each score in the game.
Real Madrid and Sevilla is not down on the table for the Spanish league as Barcelona takes a fifth teen point lead.
Sunday Madrid is looking to tighten up the lead to Barcelona against Deportivo La Coruna only giving a 12 point lead.
Even with the joy of winning and taking the lead Barcelona was sadden when high wind pick up destroying an sports center where four children died. Players of the game took a moment out before the game to pay respect for the loss.

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Eto’o stays at Barcelona

After months of uncertainty, Samuel Eto’o may not be leaving the Nou Camp after all; this decision comes in light of the Cameroonian international’s pre-season form. Coach Pep Guardiola is set to tell Samuel Eto’o that he has earned himself a place in the Barcelona squad for the new term. Eto’o who initially was not apart of the coach’s plans for “a new look” Barcelona team has earned his place due to his recent performance.

Guardiola’s decision to retain Samuel Eto’o has come at a time when Emmanuel Adebayor of Arsenal signed a contract extension with the Gunners and put an end to rumors that he would be leaving Emirates Stadium for the Nou Camp.

So with Eto’o staying at the Nou Camp, will there still be a place for Drogba or Trezeguet, who have both taken Barcelona’s interest? The answer is probably not and with Drogba seemingly staying at Chelsea and Trezeguet’s plan to end his career at Juventus; Barcelona does not seem likely to acquire either signatures and may well be advised to retain Eto’o.

Barcelona maintains interest in Berbatov

While still in The United States, Barcelona have maintained their 100% pre-season wins and have still maintained their keen interest in Tottenham’s Bulgarian striker Dimitar Berbatov and intends to make a move for the striker upon their return from the States.

With new Coach Pep Guardiola at the elm, Barcelona seems a different team and will hope to add some silverware to their shelves in the upcoming season, but first Coach Guardiola has insisted that he needs another striker even if Samuel Eto’o stays. Guardiola sees Berbatov as the perfect choice, given the Bulgarian’s creativity and goalscoring ability.

A number of strikers have been linked to Barcelona, among those are Emmanuel Adebayor, Karim Benzema and Didier Drogba, however none of these players appear to be leaving their respective clubs. Eto’o who has been instructed by Barca officials that if he can come to an amicable agreement with a club; he can leave, has returned to training and has impressed to their pre-season games appears to be staying at Barcelona after all.

Barcelona would most likely get first preference to the Bulgarian should Tottenham decide to sell as the club will not want Manchester United to acquire their star player.

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