CAN 2022: Choupo-Moting, the darling of Cameroonians and beyond
Cameroonian striker Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting celebrates with the CAN 2022 mascot, Thursday January 13 at the Olembé stadium in Yaoundé.
REUTERS - MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY
Text by: Nicolas Bamba Follow
4 mins
In this CAN 2022 at home, an indomitable Lion stands out because of the bursts of enthusiasm he arouses with each appearance on the pitch.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting is the most applauded Cameroonian player in this competition.
A rating of love that is not a surprise.
In Europe too, the striker attracts the affection of just about everyone.
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From our special correspondent in Yaoundé,
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting will he start in Cameroon's quarter-final, Saturday January 29 in Douala, against Gambia?
Toni Conceiçao will decide.
Since the start of
CAN 2022
, the striker has alternated between substitute status and a place in the starting XI.
But holder or not, the center-forward will probably still beat everyone to the applause meter.
Even Vincent Aboubakar does not cause as many cheers in the stands as Eric Choupo-Moting.
“An honor to play in front of the people, to represent this jersey”
This did not go unnoticed at the Olembé stadium, the scene of Cameroon's first four matches in this CAN.
In the matches against the Stallions and against the Blue Sharks, a roar rose from the stadium when the coach sent the Indomitable Lions No.13 to warm up before launching him into the arena.
Same thing when he was replaced against Ethiopia and against the Comoros.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting gets a standing ovation, even when he doesn't score.
After qualifying for the quarter-finals
obtained against the Coelacanthes, RFI asked the player if he had noticed this special treatment.
A bit embarrassed, the tall striker (1.91m) modestly confided not "
to pay too much attention to that
", without forgetting to "
always thank the people
".
“
Every player needs support.
Knowing that the people are happy is a good feeling.
I'm always proud, it's an honor to play in front of the people, especially at home, to represent this shirt.
When we play well, everyone feels that energy.
It's something special
,” he continued.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, all smiles at Cameroonian training, January 16, 2022. AP - Themba Hadebe
“Who can make us hate Choupo?
»
Ulrich Kevin Nkoum, 21, is one of Eric Choupo-Moting's big fans. “
He is the darling of the country
”, assures the Cameroonian student, aspiring journalist and fully invested in this CAN at home. According to him, there is nothing surprising that Cameroonians adore this player who has worn the Indomitable Lions jersey since the 2010 World Cup: "
He was always calm, always went through the problems with the team national. He never complained, he was always there, no matter what problems the national team encountered. He shows us that he loves us, as Cameroon loves him.
»
“
He is a player who serves the team.
If you tell him to play in central defense or as a full-back, he will do it, as long as he plays for the country
, ”insists Ulrich Kevin.
In his eyes, the Munich resident is apart: “
Who can make us hate Choupo?
He himself cannot make us hate him!
»
He also won hearts in Paris
Born in Germany, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting entered another dimension in the summer of 2018 when he moved from Stoke City to PSG, who recruited him free of any contract.
In two seasons, the Cameroonian has enjoyed a good popularity rating.
However, it was not a foregone conclusion.
“
When I think back to Choupo at PSG, two images come to mind
:
his failure against Strasbourg
and obviously
his goal against Atalanta
.
They sum up his passage quite well
, ”says Adrien Chantegrelet, journalist at Le Parisien and specialist in the capital club.
“
At the beginning, there was perhaps a little teasing
” about this recruit, not exactly in the standards of the stars that PSG attracts.
Neymar celebrating with Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting the latter's capital goal with PSG against Atalanta Bergamo, in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, August 12, 2020. AP - David Ramos
“
And in the end, the fans got attached to it because they saw someone who, despite his shortcomings, gave everything for the club and was fully invested.
This is not always the case in this club
, ”continues the journalist.
The affection of the public at the Parc des Princes was such that the Indomitable Lion was entitled to its own song.
Besides his good nature, Choupo-Moting had the advantage of speaking French and English.
An asset in such an international locker room.
“
He was extremely appreciated internally.
It federated and brought together the different clans
,” notes Adrien Chantegrelet.
This is how Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting "
left through the front door
", heading to Bayern Munich, where he is also unanimous.
A habit.
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