33 Years After One of Africa’s Greatest Soccer Feats, Cameroonian Joel Embiid Recalls the Historic FIFA World Cup Run

Joel Embiid has proven a point with his playing skills and physical prowess on the court several times. In a recent interaction though, Embiid went on to talk about something that he’s passionate about and almost fetched a big glory to his homeland. But that something making him nostalgic lies outside his playing field.

Embiid had a deep-discussion interview with Maverick Carter lately. During the interaction, he spoke about various aspects including playing in the NBA and his future. But he was overtaken by the palpable lost and longing feelings the moment he started talking about soccer.

Joel Embiid goes nostalgic about Cameroon’s FIFA World Cup run

During his interview with Carter, Joel Embiid professed his love for soccer. He spoke about the iconic Cameroon win at the FIFA World Cup in 1990 when they reached to Quarterfinals as underdogs and defeated Argentina, Romania, and Colombia along the way.

“This is a story before my time,” he recalled. “Soccer is big in Africa. Cameroon is the first African country to reach the quarterfinals at the World Cup. So, it’s a story that kinda describes what happened. About how they were able to make it there, beating easily, and then we ended up losing to England in the Quarterfinals, which, you know, we could have won that game.”

Nostalgic Joel continued, “So, being the first African country to make it to the quarterfinals was a big deal. That was before my time. But I know that story has been passed through generations to this day. They all talk about it and you know, I am a big soccer fan. So, I know about it, so when I got presented with the opportunity, I was excited, because, you know, I love soccer more than basketball.”

Read More: Dating Victoria’s Secret Angel and Becoming $213 Million Richer, MVP Joel Embiid Claims to Have “Lived the American Dream” Despite No NBA Glory

Like Embiid, several NBA players intermingle with different games during their careers and even after that. Iconic NBA players like Micheal Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal are impressive golf players. Other current players like Stephen Curry have found some time to tee off as well.

All about Joel Embiid

Joel Embiid is from Cameroon and is currently playing for the Philadelphia 76ers. He is one of the tallest NBA players and is a six-time NBA All-Star as well. His recent achievement is lifting the MVP trophy in 2023. He became only the second African to do so.

Embiid has several NBA records to his credit, including leading the points tally for two seasons, becoming the only player at the forward position after Shaquille O’Neal to do so. He is also the first foreign player to lead NBA scoring.

Watch This Story: He Can’t Touch Steph Billionaire Michael Jordan Destroyed by Stephen Curry Fans After Warriors Superstars Unlikely Acc Win

What do you think about NBA players professing their love for other games? Tell us in the comments.