Ever since Qatar got the hosting rights for FIFA World Cup 2022, controversies seem to follow the mega event. Right from the royal house banning the sales of alcohol to stand against LGBTQ+ rights, the authorities seem to have generated a lot of 'fans'. But as soon as the World Cup got underway, the players and fans across the globe made their stand clear through their protests. Many fans are deeming this tournament as the World Cup of controversies and thus when Breel Donald Embolo of Switzerland decided not to celebrate after scoring against Cameroon, many thought that he is the latest addition to the list of protestors.
But not many know that Breel Donald Embolo Cameroon-born Swiss professional footballer. Embolo was born on February 14, 1997 in the Cameroonian capital Yaoundé and he received his swiss citizenship on 12th December 2014. After his parents separated, the then five-year-old had to move to France with his mother and eventually shifted to Switzerland the following year. Embolo who is a Cameroon-born had a muted celebration after scoring as a sign of respect for his country of birth.
The 25-year-old Swiss international has played for Schalke & Monchengladbach over the last six years. In a total of 132 appearances, he has scored 28 goals and provided 29 assists. In one of his appearances in the Bundesliga he gave an interview where he said - “I’m probably 60 or 70 percent Swiss now, even more so than I’m African”. While he claimed that he is about 70 per cent Swiss a part of him still beats for Cameroon which was evident in his muted celebration.
He might have paid his respect to his nation of birth but Embolo's goal eventually turned out to be the difference between the two nations. Switzerland capitalised on the chance they were offered while Cameroon failed to convert as five of their eight shots which were on target could not find the back of the net. Bayern Munich forward Maxim Choupo-Moting had three chances where he could have scored from the open play but failed to finish. While it may be heartbreak for the Cameroon national team, it was surely a moment of pride for Breel Embolo.
