The greatest for “ten to 15 years”: Eto’o believes in Mbappe dominance in world football
Will Kylian Mbappe soon follow in the footsteps of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Samuel Eto’o firmly believes in it.
At the Ballon d’Or 2021, Kylian Mbappe only finished ninth placebut former top striker Samuel Eto’o believes the Frenchman will define the coming decade of post-Messi and post-Ronaldo football.
“He’s coming at just the right time as Messi and Cristiano, the gods of football, are in the fall of their careers because of their age. I think he’ll be the greatest for the next 10-15 years. He’s got it all to become this exceptional player that football needs after these two monsters, “said Eto’o in a media panel on the occasion of the countdown to the World Cup in Qatar. The Cameroonian is one of the ambassadors of the tournament, which will take place in a year.
Eto’o on Ballon d’Or: “There are people who have to decide”
While the future belongs to Mbappe, according to Eto’o, the present is still determined by Messi. The Argentine was awarded the Golden Ball as the best player in the world for the seventh time on Monday. For his former team-mate Eto’o, “La Pulga” is the right choice despite clear criticism from various directions.
“People think I am not objective. But Leo deserves everything wonderful in this world, so I am happy for him and for all that he has achieved and is currently doing. Now that he has the seventh Ballon d ‘ Or won, I’m already looking forward to the eighth, “said Eto’o.
In addition to the emotional component, Messi also earned the title in sport. There have always been discussions about it. “I remember 2010, a lot of people thought that someone else should have won. It was fair to us that Leo won because he’s the best player in the world,” he said. In 2010 Messi prevailed against his two Barcelona teammates Andres Iniesta and Xavi – although he could not win an international title.
“In football,” said Eto’o, “it’s always about opinions.” So he could easily live with the fact that there was criticism of this year’s award. “Benzema and Lewandowski absolutely deserved it, Mbappe deserved it, Kante deserves it, Jorginho deserves it. But that’s football. Many of us thought we’d be eligible for the Ballon d’Or, but then there is it’s people who have to decide and we have to respect that. And these people thought, like me, that Leo is the best and has to win, “he said.