Roger Milla, the legendary footballer and record holder for being the oldest player to participate in a World Cup match at the age of 41, shared his thoughts on his football idols and his role in youth development in an interview with Fifa.com.
When asked about his football idols, Milla expressed great admiration for Pelé and Johan Cruyff. He emphasized that, in his opinion, Pelé is undeniably football’s icon and will remain so for a long time. Johan Cruyff, on the other hand, was another model for Milla, describing him as a special case in the history of football.
Milla, known as the “Old Lion,” continues to stay connected with football, regularly watching matches and following the performances of clubs and the Cameroonian national team. He takes pleasure in observing the achievements of young Cameroonian players abroad, citing Fabrice Olinga, the youngest scorer in La Liga at 16 years and 98 days, as an example.
Regarding grassroots football and youth development, Milla may not be directly involved with young players, but his roles as Goodwill Ambassador of Cameroon and member of the FIFA Football Committee allow him to contribute upstream by providing his expertise in youth football. He emphasized the importance of qualities such as humility, modesty, and respect for young players to succeed in football and stand out from others.
This insight from Roger Milla reflects his ongoing passion for the sport and his commitment to supporting the development of young talents in football. If you have any specific questions or if there’s anything else you’d like to know, feel free to ask!
