Choupo-Moting Hopes to Lure Matip Back to Cameroon Squad
Cameroon forward Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting has expressed optimism that teammate Joël Matip will eventually return to international duty with the Indomitable Lions, following the Schalke defender’s self-imposed break from the national team after the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Speaking at a press conference, Choupo-Moting said he regularly speaks with Matip and believes the door remains open for his return to Volker Finke’s squad.
“Regarding Joël Matip, of course we always exchange ideas,” the Schalke 04 striker said. “I think he’ll come back one day.”
Matip has not featured for Cameroon since the World Cup in Brazil, where the national team endured a turbulent campaign both on and off the pitch. Disagreements over bonuses, poor organisation, and internal conflict marred the team’s tournament, prompting several players to reconsider their international futures.
Choupo-Moting, who also plays in the Bundesliga, understands Matip’s hesitation, particularly given the challenges the defender faces as a player raised outside Cameroon.
“I understand him a little too,” Choupo-Moting said. “There were a lot of things that weren’t going well… It’s true that there are always things to improve in terms of organisation.”
He also acknowledged that language and cultural barriers may have contributed to Matip’s discomfort within the squad. “He’s Cameroonian, yes, but since he grew up in Germany, he doesn’t speak French perfectly. Sometimes it was difficult for him to understand everything that was happening here.”
Despite the challenges, Choupo-Moting remains determined to help Matip find his way back into the national team.
“I’m going to do everything I can to convince him to come back,” he added.
Cameroon are currently in the midst of their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualification campaign, and the return of an experienced central defender like Matip would bolster their defensive options significantly.
The Indomitable Lions are undergoing a rebuilding process following their disappointing World Cup exit, and coach Volker Finke has looked to blend youth with experience in his selections. Matip, with his club-level consistency and familiarity with several players in the current squad, could play a crucial role in that transition—if he chooses to return.
For now, his international future remains uncertain, but Choupo-Moting’s words may signal that a comeback is still very much possible.
