Prior to Eto'o, only Rabah Madjer had ever scored in a European Cup final.
Eto'o, scorer of 38 goals in all competitions last season, left for Inter Milan.
And Hoddle can also forget about signing Cameroon international Samuel Eto'o from Real Mallorca.
"I think about Titi (Henry), who's dreaming about it, " said Eto'o when asked for his favourites.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Eto'o dreams of winning award
Eto'o might have added to the tally late on, but wasted a chance when clean through.
Cameroonian Samuel Eto'o, who plays for Inter Milan, and Malian Seydou Keita, complete the five-man shortlist.
City manager Mark Hughes initially signalled his intention to wait for Eto'o to resolve the wrangle.
Eto'o's fourth African crown takes him past other three-time winners Abedi Pele and George Weah.
Eto'o has only just returned to first team action after many months on the sidelines through injury.
Former stars Samuel Eto'o and Brazil's Ronaldinho were also believed to have been monitored in the past.
"I made history at Barcelona but that chapter is over, " Eto'o said on the Inter Milan club website.
But with Eto'o, 28, only having one year left on his current deal, Barca were willing to sell.
Eto'o's club, Barcelona, claims they had reached agreement for the player to stay in Spain for another week.
The 27-year-old hopes to emulate Eto'o, who was a prolific scorer during his time with the European champions.
It was suggested City were ready to offer Eto'o a deadline of this weekend to determine his future.
Eto'o also won the prestigious award in 2003, 2004 and 2005 while playing in Spain, latterly with Barcelona.
Goals from Goran Pandev and Samuel Eto'o and a late strike by substitute Jonathan Biabiany sealed the win.
Clemente, manager of club side Athletic Bilbao, criticised Eto'o for spitting at defender Unai Exposito during a league match.
Esli eto proizoidet, to Vashim druz'yam i rodstvennikam v Belgrade pridetsya ochen' tyazhelo.
For me Samuel Eto'o is one of the best strikers around and was a very important player for Barcelona.
Eto'o's compatriot Geremi has two Champions Leagues from his time with Real Madrid.
Roedd Cymru unwaith eto yn y safle isaf o wledydd y DU o ran gallu darllen, mathemateg a gwyddoniaeth.
Only in the closing minutes did Inter threaten with Maicon, striking substitute Samuel Eto'o and Wesley Sneijder going close.
CNN: Inter held by Genoa in San Siro but stay four points clear
Samuel Eto'o was repeatedly denied by keeper Thomas Kraft in an open match.
Ivory Coast international Drogba is the only African player with more career Champions League goals than ordinarily lethal Cameroonian Eto'o.
Thierry Henry, Ronaldinho, Carlos Tevez, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Frank Lampard and Samuel Eto'o make up the rest of the top 10.
Samuel Eto'o had put the visitors into a deserved lead after just 15 minutes with a superb low opportunist finish.
Eto'o came close to agreeing a move to Manchester City before the Eastlands side ended their pursuit on 10 July.
Eto'o said he hoped his season prior to his injury would be reviewed and taken into consideration for the award.
BBC: SPORT | Football | African | Eto'o dreams of winning award
The Spain-based duo of Mali striker Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla) and Cameroon star Samuel Eto'o (Barcelona) have also made the cut.
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