This archive report was first published on 30 October 2019.
Cameroon football legend Samuel Eto'o has no plans to enter politics, despite being one of Africa's greatest footballers. In an exclusive interview with AFP, Eto'o said he has no interest in following in the footsteps of Liberia's George Weah, who became president in January 2018.
"Everyone wants me to go into politics, but there won't be 10 million Weahs," Eto'o said. He added that while everyone has the right to stand for office, he sees politics as something reserved for certain people in his country.
Published on October 30, 2019, Eto'o's comments come as Cameroon is dealing with a major crisis, including a two-year secession drive by anglophone separatists that has claimed thousands of lives. President Paul Biya, who has ruled the country for 37 years, recently had his re-election backed by Eto'o.
At 38, Eto'o has recently retired from football after a glittering career that included winning the Uefa Champions League twice with Barcelona and once with Inter Milan. He has taken on a role with the Confederation of African Football and plans to move into coaching.
