Who is Breel Embolo? Breel Embolo is a Swiss professional footballer born on February 14, 1997, in Yaoundé, Cameroon. His journey from Cameroon to Switzerland, and eventually to European football stardom, is a tale of perseverance and talent. Moving to France at age five, then to Basel, Switzerland, Embolo's early life was shaped by his family's transitions. Starting his career at FC Basel, he quickly rose to prominence, earning titles and accolades. His career took him to Schalke 04, Borussia Mönchengladbach, and Monaco, where he continues to shine. Representing Switzerland internationally, Embolo has played in major tournaments like the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup.
Early Life and Background
Breel Embolo's journey from Cameroon to Switzerland is a story of resilience and determination. His early life experiences shaped his path to becoming a professional footballer.
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Birth and Early Life: Born on February 14, 1997, in Yaoundé, Cameroon, Embolo's early years were spent in his birthplace before moving to Europe.
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Move to France: At five, Embolo relocated to France with his mother, attending school in Toulouse and Paris. This move was pivotal in his early development.
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Meeting His Future Stepfather: During their time in France, Embolo's mother met a Swiss national who would become his stepfather, influencing their eventual move to Switzerland.
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Settling in Switzerland: The family settled in Basel, Switzerland, where Embolo's football journey truly began. His stepfather played a significant role in his early football development.
Rise to Professional Football
Embolo's talent quickly caught the attention of local clubs, leading to his professional debut and subsequent rise in European football.
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Early Football Career: Embolo started playing football at a young age in Switzerland, showcasing his talent and dedication.
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FC Basel: In 2013, Embolo joined Basel's first team under coach Murat Yakin, making his professional debut on March 13, 2014, in a Europa League match against Red Bull Salzburg.
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First Goal: Just three days after his debut, Embolo scored his first goal for Basel in a domestic league match against Aarau, contributing to a 5-0 victory.
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Swiss Super League Champion: Basel won the Swiss Super League championship in the 2013-2014 season, with Embolo playing a crucial role.
Achievements and Milestones
Embolo's career is marked by significant achievements and milestones, both at the club and international levels.
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Regular Player and Goal Scorer: In the 2014-2015 season, Embolo became a regular player and goal scorer for Basel, netting his first UEFA Champions League goal on November 4, 2014.
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Hat-Trick in Swiss Cup: On September 21, 2014, Embolo scored his first hat-trick for Basel in the Swiss Cup, leading to a 4-0 win against Winterthur.
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Domestic League Hat-Trick: Embolo scored his first domestic league hat-trick on April 12, 2015, in a 5-1 victory against Zürich.
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Third Consecutive Championship: Basel secured their third consecutive Swiss championship at the end of the 2015-2016 season, with Embolo being described as "one of Europe's hottest prospects."
Transfers and Challenges
Embolo's career saw significant transfers and challenges, including injuries and moves to different clubs.
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Transfer to Schalke 04: In June 2016, Embolo signed a five-year contract with Schalke 04 in Germany, with a transfer fee of €20 million.
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Injury Setback: Shortly after joining Schalke 04, Embolo suffered an ankle injury, sidelining him for nearly a year.
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Move to Borussia Mönchengladbach: After recovering, Embolo transferred to Borussia Mönchengladbach in 2017, playing for two seasons before moving to Monaco in 2019.
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Ligue 1 Debut: Embolo made his Ligue 1 debut for Monaco in 2019, quickly establishing himself as a key player.
International Career
Embolo's international career with Switzerland has been marked by notable performances in major tournaments.
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International Debut: Embolo made his senior international debut for Switzerland in 2015, earning over 70 caps since.
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UEFA European Championship Appearances: He represented Switzerland at the UEFA European Championship in 2016, 2020, and 2024, showcasing his skills on the international stage.
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FIFA World Cup Appearances: Embolo also played for Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup in 2018 and 2022, gaining invaluable experience.
Career Statistics and Performance
Embolo's career statistics highlight his contributions to both club and international football.
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Career Statistics: As of the 2024/2025 season, Embolo has played 30 matches in Ligue 1, scoring 5 goals and providing 6 assists.
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UEFA Champions League Statistics: In the UEFA Champions League, he has played 6 matches, scoring 1 goal and providing 3 assists.
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Annual Salary: Embolo's annual salary is reported to be €4,020,000, making him one of the highest-paid players in Ligue 1.
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Minutes Per Goal: His minutes per goal ratio is 230 minutes per goal, indicating a goal every 230 minutes on average.
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Non-Penalty Expected Goals (xG): His non-penalty xG per 90 minutes is 0.44, placing him in the top 95 percentile of Ligue 1 players.
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Goal Involvement: Embolo's total goal involvement (goals + assists) for the 2024/2025 season is 6, highlighting his versatility.
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Home and Away Goals: In the 2024/2025 season, he scored 2 goals at home and 2 away, showing consistent performance across venues.
Recognition and Accolades
Embolo's talent and hard work have earned him recognition and accolades throughout his career.
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Career Milestones: Embolo has played 91 games for Basel, scoring 31 goals, and participated in various European competitions.
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Transfer Rejection: In January 2016, VfL Wolfsburg made a bid for Embolo, close to €27 million, which Basel rejected, indicating his high value.
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Recognition and Accolades: In June 2016, FourFourTwo described Embolo as "one of Europe's hottest prospects," reflecting his rising star status.
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Continued Success: As of the 2024/2025 season, Embolo remains a key player for Monaco and the Switzerland national team, showcasing his dedication and skill.
Breel Embolo: A Journey of Dedication
Breel Embolo's rise from Cameroon to European football stardom is nothing short of inspiring. From his early days in Basel to his current role at Monaco, Embolo's career is marked by resilience and talent. His journey includes overcoming injuries, scoring crucial goals, and representing Switzerland on the international stage. With over 70 caps for the national team, he's proven himself in both the UEFA European Championship and FIFA World Cup. His stats, like a goal involvement per 90 minutes of 0.59 in Ligue 1, highlight his consistent performance. Earning an annual salary of €4,020,000, Embolo's hard work has paid off. As he continues to shine for Monaco and Switzerland, his story remains a testament to dedication and perseverance in football.
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