{"id":802738,"date":"2025-09-26T22:00:59","date_gmt":"2025-09-26T22:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/non-classe\/saliba-declares-etoo-the-greatest-african-player-o-rm-1758924056534"},"modified":"2025-09-26T22:00:59","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T22:00:59","slug":"saliba-declares-etoo-the-greatest-african-player-o-rm-1758924056534","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/non-classe\/saliba-declares-etoo-the-greatest-african-player-o-rm-1758924056534","title":{"rendered":"Saliba declares Etoo the greatest African player of all time"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a bold revelation that has ignited passionate debates across the footballing world, French defender William Saliba<\/strong> has weighed in on the age-old question of who reigns supreme among African football legends: Samuel Eto’o<\/strong> or Didier Drogba<\/strong>? During an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, the Arsenal star did not hesitate to voice his opinion, firmly placing Eto’o at the pinnacle of African football history.<\/p>\n

The Eternal Debate<\/h2>\n

This discussion is not merely a matter of statistics but a reflection of the rich tapestry of African football culture. Both Eto’o and Drogba have carved their names into the annals of football history with their incredible achievements. Eto’o<\/strong>, a three-time African Player of the Year and a key figure in multiple Champions League victories, has amassed an impressive tally of 118 caps and 56 goals for Cameroon. In contrast, Drogba<\/strong>, renowned for his heroics with Chelsea and pivotal role in bringing African football to global prominence, boasts 105 caps and 65 goals for C\u00f4te d’Ivoire.<\/p>\n

Saliba’s Standpoint<\/h2>\n

Unlike fellow French international Kylian Mbapp\u00e9<\/strong>, who opted for neutrality in this debate to avoid ruffling feathers, Saliba made his choice unequivocally clear. \u201cYes, for me, Samuel Eto’o is the greatest African player of all time. Drogba is a legend, but Eto’o is better,\u201d he stated confidently. This declaration not only reflects his personal admiration but also resonates with many fans across Africa who cherish Eto’o\u2019s contributions on and off the pitch.<\/p>\n

A Broader Perspective on African Talent<\/h2>\n

The impact of both players extends beyond their individual accolades; they represent a generation of African talent that has transcended borders and inspired millions. The likes of Saliba are now carrying that torch into Europe\u2019s elite leagues, showcasing the depth of talent emerging from Africa.<\/p>\n

The significance of such discussions cannot be understated as they highlight the growth and evolution of African football. As players like Saliba emerge as influential figures within European clubs, they also become ambassadors for African football, advocating for greater recognition and opportunities for young talents back home.<\/p>\n

The Legacy Continues<\/h2>\n

The legacy left by Eto’o and Drogba is one that continues to influence current and aspiring players across Africa. Their journeys from local pitches to international stardom serve as motivation for countless youngsters in countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Algeria. With youth academies sprouting across the continent and increasing visibility in global competitions like AFCON and World Cup qualifiers, the future looks bright for African football.<\/p>\n

Looking Ahead<\/h2>\n

As discussions about who deserves the title of “greatest” continue to spark debate among fans and players alike, one thing remains clear: figures like Eto’o and Drogba have paved the way for future generations. Young stars emerging from Africa will undoubtedly look up to these icons while forging their paths in international football.<\/p>\n

Saliba\u2019s assertion not only ignites conversations about legacy but also calls attention to how far African football has come\u2014emphasizing unity among players while celebrating individual excellence. The ultimate goal remains simple: elevating Africa’s standing on the global stage through unity, talent development, and shared aspirations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In a bold revelation that has ignited passionate debates across the footballing world, French defender William Saliba has weighed in on the age-old question of who reigns supreme among African football legends: Samuel Eto’o or Didier Drogba? During an exclusive interview with Sky Sports, the Arsenal star did not hesitate to voice his opinion, firmly […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":802737,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-802738","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-non-classe"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2025\/09\/image-286.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pfmZoa-3mPo","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=802738"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/802738\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/802737"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=802738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=802738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.afriquesports.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=802738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}