French soccer star Kylian Mbappé traveled to Cameroon, his father’s home country, for the first time since he was a teenager. On Thursday, the 24-year-old flew to Yaoundé, the capital, before going on a 3-day tour of the country.
Mbappé was met with a crowd of fans and security guards who asked for photographs as he stepped off the plane. About a hundred traditional dancers performed at his arrival. He stayed at a hotel owned by the family of former French tennis champion and singer Yannick Noah, who now lives in Yaoundé.
“It is an honor for me to be here, to be in the country of my origin, to be with my family and to see the people out there. They have shown me some love,” Mbappé told reporters.
The soccer star met with Cameroon’s Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and other officials on Friday.
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The trip was also the occasion for Mbappé to visit schools in Yaoundé and Doula that is supported by his own charitable foundation, Inspired by KM, according to France 24.
“We are pushing hard for a bright future in Cameroon,” he said, Reuters reported.
The soccer player added that more youth projects are coming up.
The visit to Cameroon was also a way for Mbappé to reconnect with his roots and “follow in the footsteps of his ancestors in Djebale, to spend time with young Cameroonians,” his team said. Mbappé visited the island of Djebale, where his father is originally from. Wilfried Mbappé left Cameroon at a young age and moved to France, where he became a soccer coach, Euronews reported.
During his visit, he participated in several cultural activities, including a basketball game with retired NBA player Joakim Noah, the son of Yannick. He was also due to participate in a soccer game against the local team FC Vent d’Etoudi before it was canceled over security concerns.
Kylian Mbappé et Joakim Noah.
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“It’s a huge boost for Cameroon, not just for Cameroon but for the entire continent,” a fan told the BBC. “Having him around shows that home is home — you have to come back to your home.”
“We are proud to see our Cameroonian brother. We want to offer him a very warm welcome,” another fan told France 24.
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Mbappé’s visit to Cameroon comes as his future at Paris Saint-Germain, his home club, remains uncertain. The forward said he would not extend his contract, which expires next year, despite wanting to stay on for a final season. The PSG has to sell the player before his contract expires. Mbappé had previously joined PSG on a 180 million euro ($196 million) deal in 2017. He is one of the most in-demand soccer players. Fans are waiting to see which club he will join next as this would indicate a new chapter in his career.
