Ex-Chelsea and Man United boss, Jose Mourinho, says he doesn’t understand how Cameroon’s legend, Samuel Eto’o, didn’t win Ballon d’Or at least once through out his career.
According to Mourinho, Eto’o played for the best teams in the best leagues in the world, scored an incredible amount of goals in different leagues but still he couldn’t win the prestigious award.
During an interview with Cameroon Radio and cited by BBC, Mourinho made it clear that winning the award is out of everyone’s control, even if a player performed well.
The 38-year-old forward who retired weeks ago played for Barcelona and other professional clubs after over two decades winning several honours.
Eto’o claimed the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) twice and the European Champions’ League three times.
“It’s difficult to understand how Samuel Eto’o never won the Ballon d’Or with the impressive career he had. Samuel played for the best teams in the best leagues in the world.
“He scored an incredible amount of goals and was successful in different leagues. “He played three champions league finals, winning two with Barcelona and scoring in both finals. He also won one champions league at Inter and won many league titles.
“He was the best striker in the world for several years and I think he deserved a Ballon d’Or but these are things out of our control,” the Portuguese said.
Interestingly, aside from winning African player of the year awards four times, Eto’o emerged third in the Fifa’s World Player of the Year award in 2005.
