Emmanuel Eboué reveals financial ruin and estrangement from family after football
Former Arsenal and Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboué has opened up about his severe financial and personal struggles since retiring from professional football, describing a life in ruins following a costly divorce and a FIFA ban. Speaking on The Fifth House podcast, the 40-year-old revealed he has lost all his property in England and has had no contact with his three children for nearly five years.
Eboué, who made over 150 appearances for Arsenal between 2005 and 2011 and also played for Galatasaray and Sunderland, stated that his 2017 divorce led to devastating financial losses. "I lost everything in England because that's where I did everything in my career," Eboué said. "I bought a lot of houses, I had three houses there, I had a lot of cars and I lost everything." He declined to specify the exact sum but emphasized the toll was immense.
The personal tragedy is compounded by a complete estrangement from his family. Eboué confirmed he has not seen his children, including his son Mathis who recently signed a professional contract with Chelsea, in five years, having lost custody during the divorce proceedings. "I am very sad because I was not there when he signed for Chelsea. His mother did not call me," Eboué recounted. He added that he prays daily for a reunion but possesses no recent photographs of them.
Eboué's post-playing career was effectively ended by a one-year worldwide ban from FIFA in 2016 for failing to pay debts owed to a former agent. This led to his release by Sunderland just 22 days after joining the club, a move from which he never recovered. In 2016, he admitted to having had suicidal thoughts during this period, highlighting the depth of his despair.
His revelations cast a stark light on the challenges some former professionals face after leaving the sport, particularly when unprepared for financial management or beset by legal issues. The case serves as a cautionary tale within football about the importance of support systems for players transitioning out of the game. For Eboué, the focus remains on a hope for personal reconciliation, as his professional legacy remains overshadowed by his subsequent fall from grace.
