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I would vote for Samuel Eto'o because the Cameroonian always represents his teams with ambition and pride.

His goal tally is virtually second to none and even after Barcelona tried to sell him in the European summer of 2007, the wiry striker responded with little animosity and great character by displaying his worth on the field.

In just 36 league games Eto'o found the back of the net a whacking 30 times, while his half dozen in the Champions League included one to help see off Manchester United in the final.

After being compared to Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the man for whom he was swapped between Barca and Inter Milan, Eto'o settled matters at his first press conference in typically punchy fashion.

"I'm Samuel Eto'o and don't want to compare myself to anyone. I believe the victories I have earned up to now can contribute to giving the right value to my name," he said.

And at international level, his reputation has rarely been higher.

He has been an impressive leader of Cameroon and assumed the captaincy of the Indomitable Lions smoothly and promptly.

He helped steering the 'Germans' of the continent from disaster to triumph in World Cup qualifying.

His nomination among Fifa's 23-man shortlist for the 2009 World Footballer of the Year is thus richly deserved.

And in a time of footballing mercenaries, it's pleasing to think the lithe striker is talking about ending his career with Spanish side Real Mallorca, where his European odyssey really took off.

Finally, it's hard to believe that Eto'o's cabinet locker shines with Olympic, Champions League and Nations Cup medals - but still no ±«Óãtv African Footballer of the Year award!