Former Barcelona captain Carles Puyol, present club captain Lionel Messi, former Chelsea forward Didier Drogba and a host of football stars have sent their best wishes to Samuel Eto’o after his retirement.

Eto’o took to social media on Friday to make a low-key announcement of his retirement from the playing scene following an illustrious 22-year career which started in 1997 at Real Madrid.

The 38-year-old played in Spain with Real Madrid, Leganes, Mallorca, Espanyol and Barcelona before travelling to Italy where he featured for Inter Milan and Sampdoria, he also had stints in England with Chelsea and Everton, and in Turkey with Antalyaspor and Konyaspor and Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia

During his playing career, Eto’o won several team and individual laurels including three Champions League titles, four African Footballer of the Year awards, three La Liga titles, amongst others.

While many players congratulated Eto’o for his success on the field, Messi, particularly, hoped that the Cameroon legend would reach the 40-year mark before hanging his boots.

“Have you decided to stop, Samu? I thought you would reach 40 at least… All the luck in the world in what you want to do from now on, genius,” Messi wrote on Instagram.

“Congratulations for this great career Samuel Eto’o and very good continuation for the new challenges that await you… Africa is very proud of one of its greatest ambassadors,” Drogba wrote.

“Thank you for all brother. It has been a pleasure to share team with you. Good luck in this new stage,” Puyol wrote on Instagram.

“Soccer will miss you on the grass, brother. But I know you have a lot to contribute… Soccer needs you always friend… You’ve been very big as a player and I’m sure you will do it in everything that comes. Good luck in the new stage of your life, brother,” Deco wrote.