Cameroon international and new Manchester United signing Bryan Mbeumo has paid tribute to the African football icons who shaped his journey, naming Samuel Eto’o as his greatest influence.
“The player who inspired me? Obviously, Eto’o,” Mbeumo declared, honouring the legendary four-time African Footballer of the Year and fellow Cameroonian, whose legacy continues to loom large in African football.
When asked to name his top three African players from his childhood, Mbeumo didn’t hesitate.
“Eto’o, Drogba and Yaya Touré,” he said, selecting a trio of giants who each made an indelible mark on European and international football during the 2000s.
Eto’o’s clinical finishing and relentless winning mentality, Didier Drogba’s dominant presence at Chelsea, and Yaya Touré’s midfield brilliance with Manchester City were all major touchstones for Mbeumo as he honed his own game.
Together, these three icons not only defined an era of African excellence on the global stage but also lit the path for the next generation.
Now one of Cameroon’s key attacking figures, Mbeumo is fully aware of the responsibility that comes with representing his nation.
While he remains proud of his roots and the legends who came before him, the 25-year-old also keeps a keen eye on today’s elite African talents.
Asked to name his current top three African players, Mbeumo highlighted stars from across the continent.
“Salah, Lookman and Hakimi,” he answered, naming Egypt’s Mohamed Salah, Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman, and Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi—all standout performers in some of Europe’s toughest leagues.
Each of those names represents a different quality—Salah’s lethal precision, Lookman’s flair and rising influence, and Hakimi’s pace and power from the backline.
Together, they symbolise the rich diversity and depth of talent that African football continues to offer the world.
Mbeumo’s admiration for both past and present African stars paints a picture of a player deeply connected to his heritage, even as he charts his own course at the highest level of the game.
From idolising Eto’o to sharing the pitch with today’s stars, the forward’s journey reflects both inspiration and ambition.
As he begins this next chapter at Manchester United, Mbeumo walks in the footsteps of his heroes—with the clear intention of becoming one for the generations to come.
