Cameroon, Barcelona legend Samuel Eto'o announces retirement

Three-time Champions League winner Samuel Eto'o called time on his career by announcing his retirement at age 38 on Friday.

"The end," he said on Instagram. "Towards a new challenge. Thank you all, big love."

The Cameroon legend ends his career as the country's highest scorer with 56 goals. He led the nation to the World Cup four times, becoming the third African player to participate in as many tournaments. He also won two Africa Cup of Nations titles, and Eto'o was named the African Player of the Year four times.

He finished his career with Qatar SC following an illustrious run in Europe when Eto'o suited up for a handful of the world's biggest clubs.

Real Madrid signed the gifted forward in 1997, but opportunities with the club were limited and he was sent out on loan three times, only making three appearances for Los Blancos.

A successful four-year spell at Mallorca resulted in Eto'o moving to Barcelona, where he formed one of the most lethal attacks alongside Brazilian legend Ronaldinho and a young Lionel Messi.

In addition to pushing Barca to back-to-back La Liga titles, he also scored in two Champions League finals, helping the Catalan side win the European crown in 2006 and 2009.

He went on to experience success at Inter, helping the Italian side win the Serie A title and Champions League in 2010 prior to a two-year stint in Russia with Anzhi Makhachkala.

Eto'o eventually got a taste of the Premier League when he spent two years in England's top flight with Chelsea and Everton. After leaving the Toffees in 2015, he went on to play for Sampdoria, Antalyaspor, and Konyaspor before moving to Qatar.