Samuel Eto’o And Didier Drogba: Africa’s Best Strikers Of The 21st Century, But Who Was The Better One In The UEFA Champions League?
The early 2000s had two of probably Africa’s three greatest strikers ever in Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba, both playing for great teams, Drogba leading the Abramovich era at Chelsea, while Eto’o is remembered for being part of FC Barcelona’s side, maybe one of the best football club sides in history and then Jose Mourinho’s treble winning Inter Milan. What is amazing about both players is that while both played for multiple teams over their careers, when you try to think of them, you think of those two great clubs.
Something that has always bugged me about the two, is deciding who was better in the greatest club competition, the UEFA Champions League. It is not an argument I have seen on social media lots, compared to the tired Cristiano Ronaldo vs. Messi debate.
To break things down easily, lets move forth statistically to see who sits top in the Champions league.
EDITOR’S PICK
- Modern football defensive midfielder/Mediocentro/Regista
- Who is a FALSE Full Back in Football?
- CAF CL: PWD Boss reacts to draw against Kaizer Chiefs
- Tactical approaches and theoretical concepts in football
- Liverpool vs Man City: Pre-match tactical analysis
- Olivier Giroud a perfect example of Mental Resilience in modern football
Eto’o vs Drogba Champions League Stats
Matches Played
Eto’o played a total of 82 champions League matches while Drogba played 94 games.
READ: Analyzing Samuel Eto’o Fils’ ‘Barcelona is Messi’ comment.
Goals Scored
Eto’o has 33 champions League goals to his name with a goals per game ratio of 0.40 as Drogba Drogba sits 13th in the all time top scorers in the competition with 44 goals and a goals per game ratio of 0.46.
Assist
The two players each have 10 assist to their name in the champions league. However Eto’o have a higher efficiency (195) than Drogba (168).
Efficiency in football gives an overview of a player’s effectiveness in football in terms of factors like attack (offense) and possession.
Bookings
In terms of discipline, Samuel Eto’o is regarded as one of the best in world football. You can always see that smile in his face. Eto’o was only booked seven time in the champions league with one being a red card. Drogba however has 16 yellow cards and 3 red cards to his name as well as numerous suspensions.
READ: Didier Drogba about Lionel Messi in 2012
Titles won
Samuel Eto’o has three (3) official Champions League titles to his name. However Eto’o should have had 4 UEFA titles supposed he was given a winners medal when he was subbed in 3 times during Real Madrid’s 1999/2000 Champions League campaign which they eventually won.
Didier Drogba has one (1) Champions League title to his name.
Conclusion
To conclude, with regards to the data above, Cameroon retire superstar Samuel Eto’o would sit ahead of Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba in the UEFA Champions League.
Leave your thoughts in the comment section.
RELATED POST
- Comparing Messi and Maradona- a difficult task?
- Cameroon National Team All-Time Top 5 Scorers
- Top 10 Best African Football Leagues in 2020
- The UEFA Champions League is back today
