Former Cameroon and Barcelona football star Samuel Eto’o has voiced concerns about Africa’s football industry, attributing substantial financial losses to a shortage of investment.
In a recent interview with France 24, Eto’o highlighted a striking trend where initial player transfers between Africa and Europe, costing between 1 and 2 million euros, result in subsequent sales six months later at significantly inflated values ranging from 30 to 40 million euros.
Eto’o argued that this exploitative pattern is indicative of a lack of interest in African football development among European entities. Drawing from his own experience in European football, he emphasized the profit potential in the sport and called for increased investment, strategic planning, and concerted efforts to generate returns.
The football icon’s perspective sheds light on the economic disparities within the global football landscape, with African talent often being undervalued during initial transfers only to yield substantial profits for European clubs upon subsequent resales.
Eto’o’s critique underscores the need for a more equitable and sustainable approach to football development in Africa, encouraging local investment and strategic planning to harness the economic benefits inherent in the sport.
As discussions on the financial aspects of football continue, Eto’o’s insights serve as a call to action for stakeholders to prioritize the growth and prosperity of African football, ensuring that the continent’s talents are appropriately valued and that investments contribute to long-term development.