Samuel Eto'o has become the first player for Anzhi Makhachkala to be nominated for the 2011 Ballon D'Or award. Samuel Eto'o has joined other players in the nomination such as Gerard Pique, Carles Puyol, Leo Messi, Alexis Sanchez, Cesc Fabregas, David Villa, Xavi, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Robin Van Persie.
Anzhi Makhachlaka has received another boost in the year 2011 with the nomination of Samuel Eto'o. Anzhi has been in the front page news this year with the signing of players from European Football such as Roberto Carlos.
Anzhi has also been known for inviting players such as Samuel Eto'o to sign and play in a part of Russia which is difficult in all spheres. Samuel Eto'o deserves the nomination for the 2011 Ballon D'Or for the following reasons.
Samuel Eto'o has claimed that he has not suffered racial abuse in Russia and he may be lucky. Roberto Carlos (Anzhi Makhachkala) was the victim of racial abuse by a Russian Football supporter during a match between Anzhi and Krylia Sovetov.
Roberto Carlos was playing in the match when a fan of Krylia Sovetov threw a banana on the field. The intention was to humiliate and threaten Roberto Carlos since throwing bananas is racist in Russia.
Roberto Carlos almost quit Anzhi and World Football following the incident. Russia responded by promising to enact an anti-racism campaign but old attitudes die hard.
Samuel Eto'o deserve the 2011 Ballon D'Or since it is difficult playing world football in an atmosphere where racism continually rears its ugly head.
The Russian Football Matches (some of them) have been marked by violence and hooliganism. When racism rears its ugly head, it goes hand-in-hand with violence and hooliganism.
The protagonists of Russian Football are trying to reduce as much as possible violence, hooliganism, and racism as the country prepares to host the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The majority of the activities of the hooligans are based in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
The police can also be worse than the hooligans they attempt to control. The violence between club supporters have occurred in the streets with people going about their daily lives.
The existence of a code of honor for hooligans in Russia reinforces the problem. While many players have not been directly affected, Samuel Eto'o deserves a medal for playing in such an atmosphere.
Samuel Eto'o has managed to accomplish a lot in a short time with Anzhi Makhachkala. Eto'o has managed to score four goals within seven matches with Anzhi.
Eto'o scored one of his goals in the match between Anzhi Makhachkala and CSKA Moscow on October 23, 2011. Eto'o scored within the first four minutes to give Anzhi an advantage.
While Anzhi eventually lost to CSKA Moscow, Eto'o was able to show his potential for scoring during the matches. Eto'o proved that he still had the potential to score in Anzhi as in Inter.
Samuel Eto'o and Anzhi Makhachkala have combined their forces to promote peace in the war torn region of Dagestan. Dagestan is the home of Anzhi Makhachkala and has seen its share of strife.
Samuel Eto'o and Anzhi have started a program in which children are world football instead of guns. While the program is in its infancy, it deserves to be mentioned as an achievement by Eto'o in his brief time with Anzhi.
Eto'o has shown professionalism while at Russia in spite of the racism thrown at him. The press has made false accusations against him concerning Russian Visa Regulations.
Eto'o has also been the recipient of abuse, which has been able to respond to with a professional demeanor.
In the process, Eto'o has been hailed as a hero in Cameroon and in certain areas of Russia. While I am not familiar with some of the Bailon D'Or requirements, these are my personal reasons that deserve to be shared with the world.
