Etienne Eto’o made a remarkable impact for Rayo Vallecano’s reserve team, scoring a hat-trick just 18 hours after making his senior debut in La Liga.
The 22-year-old forward, son of Cameroonian football legend Samuel Eto’o, showcased his scoring prowess in the Spanish fifth division, underlining his potential as he pushes for more first-team opportunities.
A quick turnaround after La Liga debut
On Saturday, Eto’o made his first professional appearance in La Liga, coming off the bench in Rayo Vallecano’s 1-0 defeat to Villarreal on matchday 25.
Less than a day later, he was back in action with the club’s reserve side in a Tercera Federación fixture against CU Collado Villalba.
Despite the emotional high of making his La Liga debut—one that also sparked discussions about his famous father—Eto’o delivered an exceptional performance, scoring all three of his team’s goals in a dramatic 3-2 victory.
Eto’o’s hat-trick in 47 minutes
The young striker wasted no time making his presence felt, opening the scoring within the first eight minutes.
⚪️🔴 Grâce à un triplé d’Etienne Eto’o, le Rayo Vallecano B s’impose face au CU Collado Villalba (3-2), à l’occasion de la 22ème journée de D5 espagnole. 🌪️
L’attaquant camerounais compte désormais 21 buts avec la réserve cette saison. ⚽️🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/PAOMHfbHyC
— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) February 23, 2025
However, his side soon found themselves trailing after conceding twice in quick succession.
Undeterred, Eto’o struck again in the 41st minute to level the match just before halftime.
He completed his hat-trick just two minutes into the second half, securing all three points for his team.
The treble took his tally to 21 goals in the league, further reinforcing his reputation as a rising talent in Spanish football.
A step closer to more first-team action?
Eto’o’s standout display could strengthen his case for another senior appearance when Rayo Vallecano host Sevilla next weekend.
With the first team looking to bounce back from their recent loss, his clinical finishing may provide manager Francisco Rodríguez with an additional attacking option.
As the young forward continues to impress, expectations are growing around his future with the club.
Whether he earns a more permanent role in Rayo Vallecano’s first-team squad remains to be seen, but his recent performances have certainly put him in the spotlight.
