By Nick Said, Reuters

PUBLISHED: 05:43 EST, 9 September 2013 | UPDATED: 05:44 EST, 9 September 2013

Chelsea striker Samuel Eto'o said he would quit the Cameroon national team for 'family reasons' after a row with coach Volker Finke over team selection, despite helping his side to reach the final round of African qualification for the World Cup in Brazil.

The 32-year-old, who also threatened to retire from international football in September 2012 before changing his mind, told team mates in the dressing room after Sunday's 1-0 home win over Libya that he was ending his 16-year career with the Indomitable Lions, according to French newspaper L'Equipe.

His announcement follows a week of tension in the team camp after Eto'o demanded the selection of goalkeeper Carlos Kameni and striker Achille Webo against Libya, with German Finke refusing to agree.

Eto'o

Same again? Eto'o (left) threatened to quit Cameroon in September 2012 before changing his mind

Bust up: Samuel Eto'o (left) and Cameroon coach Volker Finke (right) did not agree on team selection

Eto'o, four times African Footballer of the Year, initially suggested he was not fit to play because of a groin injury but did take part in the match and even wore the captain's armband before being replaced on the hour mark.

Cameroon now face a two-legged playoff in October and November to qualify for Brazil.

Eto'o, who signed for Chelsea from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala last month, has scored 56 goals in 114 appearances for Cameroon and appeared at three World Cup finals in 1998, 2002 and 2010.

Eto'o

Strip show: Eto'o (above) has signed for Chelsea where he will be reunited with Jose Mourinho (below)

 

The comments below have not been moderated.

I see he has the John Terry syndrome that used to be called the Sven-Beckham Syndrome now re-named the Eto syndrome!

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This guy is an airhead, he has caused troubles in the Cameroun team for years and he doesnt even speak to Song and other teammates because of his arrogance which Song did not stand for. I guess at Chelsea he fits right in, i mean with similar egos in Mourinho, Lampard and Terry its a welcome addition, birds of a feather always flock together.

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I would sooner sell groundnuts in my home village than play for a pathetic club like Chelsea. Who said this? - Scotchy of Eggdom , London, United Kingdom, ----- Only if Rafa benitez said this, then there would be protests in the Stamford Bridge crowd.

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I'm guessing he wants to quit so he can focus all his energy on chelsea and not have to travel so much.

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I would sooner sell groundnuts in my home village than play for a pathetic club like Chelsea. Who said this?

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Who the hell does Eto'o Finke he is? :P

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Wow. Who in the world is he to pick a team. Last time I checked Finke was the manager not Eto'o. If I was Finke, I would not even give the decision to Eto'o to retire. I would throw him out straight away.

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No player picks the team. I would not selected him and sent him back to Chelsea.

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I take it you were there when the alleged events took place DM. ?"If you never saw it with your own eyes,it should never come from your mouth."

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"His announcement follows a week of tension in the team camp after Etoo demanded the selection of goalkeeper Carlos Kameni and striker Achille Webo against Libya, with German Finke refusing to agree." -------------------------------------------------------who the hell does eto think he is??? unbelievable. if i was finke i'd take the decision to retire from international football oiut of eto's habds

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