Samuel Eto'o

“I've always had fun in Miami.”

“I was 15 when I made my debut for the national team.”

“By God's grace and strength of my work, I've managed to build a respectable image that I use to serve both my continent and my country.”

“In all things, you need a good organization. You can have the best player in the world; if you do not have the best team, you will not win.”

“I had to deal with it so often, I found ways of making a point against racism. 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.”

“I work hard at my job.”

“I have a great life, and I can't really complain.”

“When I left Cameroon, I was 15 years old... I had one dream - it was to conquer the world.”

“Money is not the most important to me.”

“You know the press and the TV. There are those who are favourites and those who are not. I was one of the latter.”

“Jose Mourinho is one of the best managers with whom I have worked. I had a chance not only to have him as a coach but as a colleague, a friend, a big brother. I had a chance to learn from him, and he was open to receiving advice from me as well, even though I think he knew it all.”

“I have the belief that all the qualified teams can create surprises at the World Cup and not just the traditional top favourites.”

“If you believe in something and have the strength not to give up, it can happen. I am the living proof it can be done.”

“I know how to score goals. That's what I've done all my life, and that's what I'll continue doing.”

“Like most Africans, I had to work much harder and show much deeper belief than others.”

“They called me Little Milla. He was one of the best in the world, not just in Africa. A lot of us think he did not win the best player in the world award just because he was African. It was an honour to have the name - he was an inspiration.”

“I have won everything I possibly could have in Europe.”

“Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we must respect the decisions from the officials.”

“I left Cameroon when I was 13 years old, and I've lived more in Europe than Africa.”

“You can have all the problems in the world, but you have to see out your mission.”