Emmanuel Adebayor’s Crazy Life and Controversial Career – From Togo Attack to Mega Palace
Emmanuel Adebayor has had some crazy and controversial moments on and off the pitch in his eccentric life so far.
The 39-year-old scored 207 goals in 503 appearances during his illustrious career, 97 of which came in the Premier League during spells at Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Crystal Palace. But the forward is as well known for his eccentric behavior as he is for his attacking prowess.
And after his retirement announcement on Tuesday, Star Sport of the day delves into the most controversial moments of his rollercoaster career. Get ready for a thrilling ride as we relive the former Gunner’s eventful encounters, including his wild celebrations against Arsenal, to the horrific Togo bus attack he was involved in.
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Arsenal celebration
Adebayor wowed Arsenal fans after scoring against his former club Manchester City.
He left the Gunners to join City in 2009, and in his first game against the North London club, Adebayor ran the length of the pitch to enjoy the moment in front of a passionate Arsenal crowd.
In return they pelted him with missiles as he spread his arms before them. It was the first time in his career that Adebayor fell out with Arsenal fans, then moved to Tottenham during his time at City.
What is the most memorable moment of Adebayor’s career? Let us know in the comments section
Eating muffins at the gym
Players usually use the gym to stay fit and strong for grueling matches. But Adebayor decided to take a break from sessions, stuffing his face with muffins instead of training, to the disdain of former team-mates who branded him “lazy”.
One of his former members of the palace, Brede Hangeland, said, via the mirror: “When we did strength training he would sit in the gym with a cup of coffee and a muffin. He paid for it. [Manchester] City, Tottenham and Palace at the same time, and he was sitting in the gym drinking coffee. An incredible natural talent, but very lazy.”
Mega mansion and custom stuff
When he wasn’t wreaking havoc on the pitch. Adebayor spent time in his luxurious mega mansion with custom items for entertaining.
The huge compound in Accra, Ghana has a movie theater, a private gym and an outdoor swimming pool. Guests visiting his not-so-modest abode are greeted by a riot that reads ‘SEA’ – the initials of his full name, Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor.
Adebayor’s name and logo also appear on his custom Bilbao table. And she’s clearly delighted with the large living space, revealing it on social media, saying: “THE SEA, this house represents more than luxury. It reminds us that with hard work, discipline and belief in a higher power, anything is possible. My stories May it encourage you to never give up on your dreams, no matter how big they seem.”
Refusal to train at City
Adebayor tarnished his legacy at City shortly after tarnishing his name with Arsenal.
Despite endearing himself to City fans with his brace against the Gunners, the forward was soon on the lookout for another club a year after joining Roberto Mancini’s side, as the Italian turned to irregular surplus demands for the striker.
He was sent out on loan to Real Madrid, but on his return did not make the starting line-up for City, despite helping Los Blancos to the Liga title with eight goals in 22 games. Mancini was not impressed with his efforts and kept the striker out of City’s US Tour in the summer of 2011.
Adebayor didn’t like it, and in return he refused to train with the club’s reserve team, because it was an “insult” to do so. His stint spelled the end of his City career as the club sent him on loan to Tottenham while they launched an investigation into whether he had breached his contract.
The contract has ended in Olimpia
Adebayor’s contract problems continued in South America when he played for Olimpia in Paraguay. The side terminated the contract when the striker was unable to return to the club during the coronavirus pandemic while in his native Togo.
But for his troubles, FIFA’s football tribunal ordered Olimpia to pay Adebayo $510,000 (£420,000), plus 12% interest deferred until 2020, for his unfair dismissal. In his last appearance for the club, Adebayor received a red card for a karate kick on Defensa y Justicia’s Enzo Coacci.
Togo’s refusal to donate to the fight against Covid-19
Despite making 65 international appearances for Togo, scoring 26 goals and providing four assists, Adebayor did not feel the need to contribute to the country’s fight against the coronavirus.
Although he was in the country during the pandemic, he chose not to contribute financially to the plight of the ailing country. Unlike fellow Africans Didier Drogba and Samuel Eto’o, who donated handsome sums of money to their nations, Adebayor made it clear that no money would be going to the cause as he was not concerned about bringing the virus to the country.
In a defiant Facebook Live video message, he declared: “I always do things according to my heart’s desires and not according to the words of others. I’m sorry people compare me to Samuel Eto’o and Didier Drogba asking me why I don’t have a foundation or why not any donation I have, as if I was the one who brought the coronavirus to Togo…
“I am neither, I am Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor. A word of advice for guys on donations, I won’t be doing that. Everything is clear and very simple. Thank you and have a good day.”
Togo attack
Adebayor was involved in the horrific bus attack in Togo in 2010.
Gunmen attacked Togo’s national team bus as they prepared for the World Cup. The attack, in which the Togolese soccer team was ambushed by machine gun-wielding teammates who cowered in fear under bus seats for 30 minutes.
As a result of the attack, two Togolese players and the driver were killed, along with nine others injured. Fortunately, Adebayor was physically unharmed but the scars remained emotionally, as he told the Sun.
After the attack he explained: “It was difficult to bounce back after that. I thought a lot about what happened and I knew I could die. But after a year I knew I had to keep going and I stopped attacking, I said to myself ‘you’re alive, so you have to keep working and enjoying yourself’ – and I’ve done quite well.”
But even if the star hangs up his boots, we can brace ourselves for more wild moments from Adebayor as he enters the next phase of his life. In making the announcement, he told fans, “From the highs to the lows, my career as a professional athlete has been an incredible journey.
“Thank you to my fans for being there along the way. I’m so grateful for everything and I’m excited for what’s to come.”
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