Cameroon legend and FECAFOOT president Samuel Eto’o has strongly backed FIFA president Gianni Infantino and his FIFA Forward development programme, arguing that the initiative is providing African football with crucial resources for growth.
Eto’o dismissed suggestions that football is simply being “sold” for profit, insisting that commercial investment remains an important part of financing the sport.
“But we are already selling football!!! Who finances football? Companies that buy advertising spaces to promote themselves,” Eto’o said.
The former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker praised Infantino for giving African football associations greater opportunities to invest in infrastructure and development.
“Today, President Infantino is giving Africans the opportunity to dream of developing football,” he added.
Eto’o credited the FIFA Forward programme with contributing to improvements across African football, particularly through investment in federation infrastructure.
“He has contributed to the improvement of African football. You wouldn’t have seen so many federation headquarters being built without that support,” he said.
The Cameroonian football chief also believes the programme can play a significant role in nurturing the continent’s next generation of elite players.
“His project will help develop talents. In a few years, when we have more Roger Milas and Kylian Mbappés, they will come from this kind of funding!” Eto’o stated.
His comments underline his belief that sustained investment in grassroots football, infrastructure and talent development can help Africa produce more players capable of reaching the highest levels of the global game.
