Former Cameroon dare-devil striker, Samuel Eto’o, has been honoured as he received the Gold Card residency in the UAE.
Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs in Dubai (GDRFA), welcomed Eto’o at GDRFA’s headquarters to present the gold card to the 39-year-old retired Cameroonian football star.
The former Cameroon captain retired in 2019 after 22 years of career and scored more than 350 club goals on his way.
He won four domestic club titles and three UEFA Champions League trophies.
Eto’o is regarded as one of the greatest African players of all time as he won the African Player of the Year a record four times.
UAE have granted their gold card to big names in sport. They include Cristiano Ronaldo, Luis Figo, Paul Pogba, Roberto Carlos, Romalu Lukaku, Didier Drogba, Miralem Pjanic and world number one tennis player Novak Djokovic.
The granting of the gold card follows the UAE Cabinet’s move to provide long-term residency permits (gold cards) to creators, scientists and entrepreneurs based on their contribution and influence on society in the UAE.