English Premier League icon Emmanuel Adebayor has been urged to become a politician in Togo.
Reports indicate that an opposition leader believes Adebayor should change his path from pitch to polls.
Footballers That Have Ventured Into Politics
If Emmanuel Adebayor opts to become a politician, he would be toeing the line of legends like George Weah, who was president of Liberia between January 2018 and January 2024
Brazilian football great Romario is also currently serving as a senator for Rio de Janeiro, one of the 27 federative units of Brazil.
Romário de Souza Faria has also in the past been a second Vice President of Brazil’s Federal Senate alongside being a member of the Chamber of Deputies between February 2011 and February 2015.
Adebayor retired from football in March 2023 following a fascinating career, where he played for teams like Manchester City, Arsenal, Real Madrid, and Tottenham Hotspur, amongst others.
Controversies In Emmanuel Adebayor’s Career
Emmanuel Adebayor’s career was not short of controversy, as many can fondly remember his iconic knee-slide against former club Arsenal while at Manchester City.
His fall-out with the Cityzens is also well documented, as he refused to train with the reserves after being banished by Roberto Mancini.
There was also a row in 2020 when he strongly refused to donate to Togo’s fight against Covid-19, expressing: “I do what I want to do.”
Emmanuel Adebayor also had public disagreements with his extended family on many occasions.
Emmanuel Adebayor Invited To Join A Political Party
Yao Robert Date, president of the opposition Renewal Action Committee, has invited Adebayor to join his party.
Date invited Emmanuel Adebayor to join his party during the footballer’s testimonial on Sunday, October 27, 2024, in Lome, Togo.
Yao Robert Date said: “It’s a good thing that our brother Adebayor has celebrated his testimonial game.
“But now he has finished with sport he needs to get involved in politics. And the ideal party for him to campaign with is the CAR. I invite him to join us.
“With him on board we can continue the political struggle for freedom in Togo. In Adebayor we see an example of perseverance and success.
“He embodies the kind of ambition and dynamism that Togo’s young people want from their political leaders.”
It is uncertain if Adebayor would take up the offer, but his testimonial on Sunday, October 27, 2024, was a success and he praised incumbent president Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe for how the event went down.
Gnassingbe’s Union for the Republic party won 108 out of 113 seats at the country’s legislative elections in April 2024, with the president having been in power since 2005.
Stars At Adebayor’s Testimonial
Several African and Premier League greats turned out in a pack-out stadium to celebrate Emmanuel Adebayor’s career on Sunday, October 27, 2024, including; Samuel Eto’o, Jay-Jay Okocha, El Hadji Diouf, Nwankwo Kanu, Yaya and Kolo Toure alongside Patrick Mboma.
Moreover, His SEA foundation (Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor) aims to enhance education, health, and youth entrepreneurship in Togo and parts of Africa.
Speaking after the testimonial on the goals and objectives of his testimonial, Adebayor said:
“I’m also focusing on empowering of women, empowering of the youth. And, you know, they are vulnerable populations. And these people, need our voice to stand for them. They need our strength.
“That’s why we’re here. These are the areas we are focusing on. And of course, agriculture. So for me, we need to find a way to have sustainable agriculture.”
Who Is Sheyi Emmanuel Adebayor?
The 40-year-old is a Togolese former professional footballer who played as a striker.
His Personal Information?
Emmanuel Adebayor was born on February 26, 1984, in Lome, Togo, to father Adehi Adebayo, and mother Alisa Myola Adekani.
Adebayor was born to parents of Yoruba ethnicity, and he has 6 siblings: one late brother, Peter, alongside other brothers, Kola and Rotimi, and a half-brother, Daniel.
Emmanuel Adebayor also has 3 sisters: Lucia, Yabo, and Maggie.
Adebayor is married and has a daughter named Kendra, who was born in June 2010.
Clubs He Played For In His Career?
He played for several clubs during his active playing career, including FC Metz, AS Monaco, Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Crystal Palace, and Kayserispor.
His Net Worth?
Emmanuel Adebayor’s net worth is estimated to be between the region of €35 million – €40 million.
