Vincent Aboubakar has emerged as a key player for Lorient, making significant strides in both African and French football. Prior to the recent match against Nantes, the Cameroonian striker had scored eleven out of Lorient’s twenty-six goals, placing him as the third-highest goal-scorer in Ligue 1 behind Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Aboubakar, who previously played for Valenciennes, acknowledged the impact of being part of a new team on his offensive style. As thoughts turn to the upcoming World Cup, where Cameroon has secured qualification, he remains focused on his immediate responsibilities, stating, “I am thinking about Sunday’s match at the moment. Sometimes Brazil comes to mind, but we’ll see; it’s still far away, in six months! We must already avoid getting injured.”
In an interview with his club’s official magazine, Aboubakar shared insights into his childhood in Cameroon and the journey to becoming a professional footballer. Growing up in challenging circumstances, he emphasized the support of his mother, a fish trader, and how football became a significant part of his life.
Aboubakar began playing football at a young age, initially participating in a neighborhood club near his home. At twelve, he excelled in the TOP Cup competition, organized by the Brasseries du Cameroun training center, leading to his enrollment in the football school. The realization of his potential as a professional player came during a visit to Coton Sport de Garoua, and it fully manifested when he represented Cameroon in the World Cup at the age of 18.
Reflecting on his journey, Aboubakar expressed, “Being younger, I only played for fun; I didn’t think about becoming a professional footballer. Then it all started when I was playing for Coton. And it was really from the age of 18, with my participation in the World Cup wearing the colors of my country, that I became aware of the dimension that football represented for me.” Recently, he showcased his goal-scoring prowess with a notable performance against Montpellier during the 16th day of Ligue 1.
