Chelsea forward Samuel Eto’o said he would quit the Cameroon national team for ‘family reasons’ after an argument with Coach Volker Finke over team selection.
He had also threatened to retire from the national team in September 2012 before having a change of heart; after Cameroon’s 1-0 victory over Libya on Sunday, he told his teammates that he was ending his 16-year career with the Indomitable Lions, according to French newspaper L’Equipe.
His announcement follows a week of tension in the camp after Eto’o demanded the selection of goalkeeper Carlos Kameni and AchilleWebofor the Libya game, with the Head Coach refusing.
The four time African Footballer of the Year initially said he wouldn’t play because of a groin injury but ended up taking part in the match and even wore the captain’s armband before being replaced after 60 minutes.
Eto’o has scored 56 goals in 114 appearances for Cameroon and has featured in three World Cup finals in 1998, 2002 and 2010.