Turbulent Start for Samuel Eto’o at Sampdoria as Striker Skips Training
Samuel Eto’o’s return to Serie A is already under scrutiny after the Cameroonian striker reportedly walked out on a training session just days after making his debut for Sampdoria.
According to Italian media reports, Eto’o refused to participate in a scheduled double training session on Monday, leaving the club’s training ground and travelling to Milan without permission. The 33-year-old, who signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Genoa-based club last week, is said to have objected to the intensity of the day’s programme — particularly the two-session schedule imposed by the coaching staff.
The incident comes on the heels of a disappointing debut for the former Barcelona and Chelsea forward, who came off the bench in the second half of Sampdoria’s heavy 5-1 defeat to Torino over the weekend. The team’s performance, coupled with Eto’o’s limited impact, has already raised concerns — and this latest episode may further strain his relationship with the club’s management.
Sampdoria had hoped the arrival of the experienced striker would boost their European ambitions and inject quality and leadership into the squad. However, the early signs suggest a rocky integration, with Eto’o’s unexpected departure from training unlikely to sit well with coach Siniša Mihajlović or the club’s hierarchy.
Eto’o, a four-time African Player of the Year and one of the continent’s most decorated footballers, has had stints at top clubs across Europe. But his recent career moves — including brief spells at Everton and Chelsea — have been marked by short stays and occasional tensions.
As of now, Sampdoria have not issued an official statement regarding the incident, but further developments are expected. The club will be hoping to resolve the situation swiftly and bring focus back to the pitch, as they look to stabilise their campaign with a tough run of fixtures ahead.
For Eto’o, the challenge now will be not just to deliver goals, but to demonstrate the commitment and professionalism expected of a player of his stature.
