Breel Embolo, Switzerland torn against Cameroon

“Even though football is a sport of emotions, I will try not to celebrate against Cameroon. This match is a bit of a direct and indirect conflict, I will never forget where I come from. , anticipated Breel Embolo in a recent interview. It must be said that the 25-year-old Swiss striker has spent four of his life in Cameroon. Born in Yaoundé, where his father still lives and where he returns twice a year to recharge his batteries, the striker revealed in Basel has never really cut the umbilical cord which binds him to the land of his ancestors. So seeing him get his adopted country out of a life-size trap, despite a performance far from his Monegasque standards, contributes a little more to feeding the book of curiosities of the World Cup.

“We are all patriots, it is true that he did not celebrate his goal. I’m happy for him and proud too. Today, he plays for Switzerland, I would have liked him to be with us. But hey, life is like that. » Rigobert Song, class

It could only be him

Manhandled during the entire first half, beaten in the impact – like his team -, tightly squeezed by the central hinge JC Castelletto-Nkoulou, as well as the third man Samuel Oum Gouet, Embolo finally scored a real center-forward goal at the best of times, dragging at the penalty spot, to extinguish the momentum of the Indomitable Lions. Redacted by Xherdan Shaqiri at 49^e minute, himself involved on half of the pawns of the National in the last four major international competitions, Philippe Clement’s point of reference this season with AS Monaco (7 caramels and 2 assists in 15 games) proved Murat Yakın right, who logically prefers him to Haris Seferović. “For Embolo, it’s part of the game. We are all patriots, it’s true that he didn’t celebrate his goal. I’m happy for him and proud too. Today, he plays for Switzerland, I would have liked him to be with us. But hey, life is like that” slid with class Rigobert Song, passing close to the perfect tactical shot.

When he closed his eyes and raised his hands in celebration of his achievement, as if held at gunpoint by the sharp glares of Cameroonians pointing the finger at the brain and body drain, Embolo had to rethink, in a flash, when a career choice became a life choice. At 17, in fact, the young Breel settled for a long time before opting for the Swiss cross, rather than for the Cameroonian “star of unity”. Behind this dilemma lay a mirage for a still underage player: playing the 2014 World Cup with the Lions, and having the right to challenge Brazil in their lair, when he had not yet acquired Swiss nationality. Less than a decade later, here he is erected as the executioner – despite himself – of a valiant African team, which perhaps deserved better. But the former Schalke managed to unlock his World Cup counter from the moment his emotions were put away, leaving the benefits of his Embolo Foundation and the discussions around his charitable actions in Cameroon for the aftermath. -match. Tender in duels, passive when losing the ball, never really well placed until the fateful moment, Breel Embolo still managed to tell the world a story of recognition and respect, which accompanies everyone in their quest for identity. A permanent struggle between me and superego, between feelings and reason, to find its place, somewhere on Earth.

By Alexander Lazar