Eto'o: Song not among the best players in Cameroon

Anzhi Makhachkala striker Samuel Eto'o has reopened his rift with fellow Cameroonian Alex Song by claiming the Barcelona midfielder is not even among the best players in their country - let alone the world.

The two players have endured a strained relationship in the past, with Song having refused to shake hands with Eto'o ahead of an African Cup of Nations qualifier against Senegal in 2011.



Song, who joined Barca from Arsenal in the summer, was fined a reported £1,200 by Cameroon for the incident.



The pair had appeared to make peace but Eto'o suggested there is still tension when asked if there was a dispute between the "two stars".



"We are not involved in a conflict between two star players," Eto'o told Canal Plus.



"I am among the best players in the world and Song is not even among the best players in Cameroon."

Eto'o refuses to return to Cameroon

Samuel Eto'o has rejected the chance to make a comeback for Cameroon, saying the team environment is still plagued by "amateurism and bad management".



The 31-year-old forward was recalled last week for the African Nations Cup first round first leg against Cape Verde Islands on September 8, eight months after he was suspended for having led a player strike over unpaid bonuses.



The row caused Cameroon to cancel a friendly in Algeria.



"I regret to inform you I've decided not to participate in any game with the national team since the flaws I kept denouncing as a captain have not been solved," Eto'o wrote in a letter to the Cameroon soccer federation published on his website (www.samueletoo-officiel.com).



"The national team environment is still made up of amateurism and bad management which do not suit the requirements for high-level sport," added the four-times African Footballer of the Year who has played for his country more than 100 times.



Former Inter Milan and Barcelona striker Eto'o now plays for wealthy Russian Premier League side Anzhi Makhachkala.



The two-legged match between Cameroon and Cape Verde Islands will decide a place at the 2013 finals in South Africa.



The return leg is in Yaounde in October.