A strange interaction between soccer legend Samuel Eto’o and a photographer surfaced Monday night. The former Barcelona and Inter Milan star left Doha’s 974 Stadium after Brazil’s victory over South Korea in the World Cup. Fans and photographers surrounded the legend looking to snap a photo or selfie.
The interactions between the former player and the photographers were initially cordial. Eto’o was smiling and talking to the photographers at the beginning of the video. However, one cameraman in particular seemed to annoy Eto’o.
Eto’o walks past the photographer in question, but then returns to have a conversation with the man. No one knows what the cameraman said to provoke Eto’o.
However, apparently someone in the former player’s entourage takes the man’s camera and Eto’o then violently kicks the photographer in the face. After the incident, the two men go their separate ways.
Samuel Eto’o kicks the photographer
Eto’o is currently president of the Cameroon Football Association. The African nation finished third in Group G of the 2022 World Cup. Despite beating tournament favorites Brazil in the final group game, Cameroon failed to advance to the knockout round.
The former forward scored 56 goals in 118 appearances in total for the Cameroon national team. His senior international career spanned from 1997 to 2014, when he retired from the team. Eto’o helped lead Cameroon to two Africa Cup of Nations triumphs and the 2000 Olympic gold medal.
In addition to his role with the Cameroonian national team, Eto’o is also a FIFA World Legacy Ambassador and the organizing committee for the World Cup in Qatar. The sport’s governing body uses former players to help grow the sport globally.
FIFA, the organizers of the World Cup in Qatar and Eto’o himself have yet to issue a statement on the incident.
PHOTO: IMAGO / Panoramic
