Eto'o's son handed Benfica trial and plans to become better than legendary dad

Samuel Eto'o's son has been handed a trial with Benfica trial and plans to become better than his legendary dad.

18-year-old Etienne Eto'o was recently released by Spanish second tier outfit Real Oviedo, a setback as he bids to eclipse the legendary Cameroon forward.

Eto'o senior starred for Barcelona, Inter Milan, Chelsea and Everton in his playing days, which ended in 2019 after a spell in Turkey.

Having won the Champions League three times and picked up the African Player of the Year award four times, father Eto'o's career will be difficult for any future star to beat.

However, that has not stopped young Etienne after the Portuguese giants' B team offered him a trial period, where he is now training.

Etienne Eto'o is a star in the Cameroon national team youth setup ( Image:

Sports Inc/PA Images)

The teenager, born in Spain while dad Samuel was plying his trade for Mallorca, Etienne made headlines earlier this year with spectacular goal for for Cameroon's Under-20s.

He struck a free-kick before netting one from the penalty spot in a 4-1 win over Mozambique.

It was then when he set out his stall to outshine his father.

"There is always pressure in life whether or not you are the son of a famous person," Etienne explained.

"But for me, I just try to enjoy my career and demonstrate to people that I can do it.

"My dad has played a huge influence in my life because I have always admired him and want to learn from him and continue in his steps.

"Always I want to be someone like him," he stated.

"I want to try and be better than him and I am always looking forward to stepping on the pitch and giving my best.

Etienne Eto'o has been involved in football from a young age

Thankfully, Eto'o senior hopes the same for his son, too, as junior explained: "Even though I know it is difficult to be better than my father, I want to work hard to achieve like him.

"He is always there to support me and give me advice."

Eto'o recently made headlines after claiming six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi, who he spent five trophy-laden years with at Barcelona, "played with him" - rather than the other way around.

A reporter from Road to 2022 asked: "You talk about Messi, what can he [young Barca star Ansu Fati] learn from Messi?

"You obviously played with him."

Eto'o bit back with a wry smile, saying: "No. He played with me - it is different.

"Messi played with me. I did not play with Messi. In my time, Messi played with me," stated Cameroon's all-time top goalscorer.

"It is totally different. It is totally different."

However, Eto'o senior believes Messi is a "god" along with another 21st-century icon, but knows the next in line.

"Cristiano [Ronaldo] is another god. Together with Messi, they are the players who mark current football with the highest grades," he added.

"But another god is coming for when Messi and Cristiano get tired of giving us these joys. That new god will be Kylian Mbappe."