Former Premier League star Emmanuel Adebayor is set to bid farewell to his playing career with a testimonial match in his home country on Sunday.
As he prepares for this milestone, the Togolese striker has opened up about his illustrious career, the tragic events that shaped his life, and his unwavering commitment to giving back to his community.
Adebayor, who represented some of Europe’s biggest clubs during his two-decade career, including Arsenal, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur, will be honored by a star-studded cast of African and European football legends.
The likes of Samuel Eto’o, Jay-Jay Okocha, and the Toure brothers are expected to join the festivities in Lomé.
Beyond his on-field achievements, Adebayor is also celebrated for his humanitarian work. Motivated by his own childhood struggles and the harrowing 2010 gun attack on the Togo national team, he has dedicated himself to helping the next generation in his homeland.
“It’s now I realize that helping a human being is even better than scoring a beautiful goal in the Premier League or Champions League,” the 40-year-old said in an exclusive interview with BBC Sport Africa.
Adebayor’s journey to football stardom was far from ordinary. Despite being healthy, he struggled to walk for the first few years of his life. It was only after a miraculous intervention involving prayer and a football that he began to walk, sparking an indelible connection with the sport.
His career highlights include a successful stint at Arsenal, where he was crowned African Footballer of the Year in 2008. However, his time at the north London club was marred by controversy when he celebrated a goal against his former team in front of Arsenal fans.
Adebayor also played a pivotal role in Togo’s historic qualification for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, becoming the smallest African nation to participate in the tournament.
However, the team’s campaign was overshadowed by a tragic bus attack in 2010, which left two players dead and had a profound impact on Adebayor’s life.
Despite the challenges he faced, Adebayor continued to excel on the pitch, winning the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid and enjoying a resurgence at Tottenham under manager Tim Sherwood.
Now retired from football, Adebayor is focused on giving back through his Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor (SEA) Foundation.
The foundation supports hundreds of children in Togo, providing them with educational opportunities and agricultural training.
Source: BBC Sport
