Switzerland and AS Monaco frontman Breel Embolo broke the hearts of his ‘countrymen’ at the ongoing 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Embolo scored the only goal of the day in the Group G opener as Switzerland defeated Cameroon 1-0 at the Al Janoub Stadium on Thursday.
The loss was the Indomitable Lions’ eighth successive defeat at the World Cup tournament.
The 25-year-old forward did not celebrate in respect of his country of birth after finding the back of the net in the 48th minute of the showdown.
Embolo moved with his parents to France at first from Cameroon before deciding to relocate to Switzerland when he was only six years old.
The talented player worked his way up through the Basel development team before making his professional debut for the side in March 2014.
SPECIAL OCCASION FOR BREEL EMBOLO
He was an important key member of the Basel squad that went on to win the Swiss Super League in the three seasons that he spent at the club before he left to join German side Schalke 04.
The star player also had a stint with the Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach before penning a four-year deal with his current side Monaco in July 2022.
He chose his allegiance to Switzerland after receiving his citizenship back in 2014.
Playing against Cameroon was like a dream come true for him, as he had stated that it would be “a very special occasion” to play against his country of birth in the prestigious tournament.
Embolo made his international debut for Switzerland in March 2015. Since then, he has represented his country at the UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2020 and most recently, the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Meanwhile, Cameroon will play their next group-stage match against Serbia on Monday, 28 November, and it will be a must-win for them in order to stand a good chance of progressing to the knockout phase.
And For the Swiss side, the victory gives them confidence ahead of their clash against the world’s number nation Brazil.
FANS REACTION…
One fan tweeted: “I don’t understand why he could not play for his country. More love for African players who used to play for foreign countries but are now in their home team.
Another said: “This is total disrespect. Respect is asking to be benched against his country of birth.
The other added: “Nothing bad there. He grew up in Switzerland, and his talent was discovered and nurtured there, and it’s his home. Probably has no memory of Cameroon, and had he grown up there, he probably wouldn’t have become a professional footballer.”
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