He might be one of the best strikers in European Club and perhaps the best African player playing in Europe but the bottom line is that he is black! Samuel Eto’o who became a star with Barcelona and went onto score a treble for Inter Milan this season under Jose Mourinho’s command says that he did faced a lot of problems in Europe for his skin colour but hopes that this World Cup will change the scenario. Eto who landed in Spain in 1996 and played for teams like Real Madrid followed by Real Mallorca and Barcelona said that he has always faced some sought of opposition for his coloured skin. Talking to Guardian, the 29-year old striker was quoted saying: It has never been easy and until the end of my career it won’t be easy. But maybe thisWorld Cup , being the first in Africa, can change attitudes. I hope so but I suffered a lot in Italy this year. So it’s not just one country where there is racism. But to obtain these rewards you have to go through that. And that’s why it’s incredible we’re playing in the country where my idol, Madiba [Nelson Mandela], lives.” He also talked about some of the incidents in Spain stating: “When I played against Real Zaragoza they chanted like monkeys and threw peanuts on the pitch. So when I scored I danced in front of them like a monkey. When the same thing happened against Real Madrid I scored and held my fist in a Black Power salute.” But the striker is confident with the World Cup in South Africa things are bound to change as he is expecting his team to give a stellar performance in this edition of the tournament.
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