“Totally Surreal” – Cameroon defender Junior Tchamadeu relives emotional encounter with idol Samuel Eto’o

Cameroon international Junior Tchamadeu has reflected on his encounter with legend Samuel Eto’o, who has long been a symbol of excellence and possibility for generations of young footballers.

From dusty pitches to the biggest stages in world football, his journey continues to inspire dreams far beyond Cameroon’s borders.

For Junior Tchamadeu, that inspiration began in childhood. The Stoke City right-back still vividly recalls watching clips of Eto’o’s brilliance as a youngster, often guided by his father.

“Samuel Eto’o is someone who, when I was little, my father would show me videos of him playing football,” Tchamadeu said. “Everyone knows how important he is in our country.”

Those early memories of Eto’o’s devastating pace, clinical finishing and relentless winning mentality — forged during his legendary spell at FC Barcelona — felt like distant dreams at the time. But for Tchamadeu, admiration eventually turned into reality.

Around three years ago, the young defender received an unexpected phone call that changed everything. On the other end of the line was Samuel Eto’o himself.

“My first real interaction with him was obviously when he called me for the first time,” Tchamadeu recalled. “I immediately recognised his voice on the phone.”

That moment alone was unforgettable, but meeting Eto’o face to face took the experience to another level. The encounter, Tchamadeu admits, was deeply emotional and almost impossible to process.

“Meeting him in person was even more special. It was totally surreal,” he said. “I grew up watching his videos. My father showed me all kinds of photos of him, and I saw him on television. So things as simple as having his number and talking to him are completely surreal.”

For Tchamadeu, the experience reinforced why Eto’o remains such a towering figure in African football — not just for his trophies and goals, but for the inspiration he continues to provide to young players chasing their own paths.

As Eto’o’s legacy lives on, stories like Tchamadeu’s underline his enduring impact: a hero who once lit up screens now personally motivating the next generation determined to follow in his footsteps.