Roger Milla
Encyclopedia
Roger Milla is a retired Cameroon
ian footballer who played as a striker. He was one of the first Africa
n players to be a major star on the international stage. He played in three World Cups
for the Cameroon national team
.
He achieved international stardom at 38 years old, an age at which most forward-playing footballers have retired, by scoring four goals at the 1990 World Cup
, the most memorable of which came in the match against Colombia when he dispossessed the showboating Colombian goalkeeper René Higuita
35 yards from goal, going on to score in the empty net with Higuita stranded. He helped the Cameroon team reach the quarter-finals.
He is also remembered for his trademark goal celebration of running to the corner flag and performing a dance. In the years that have followed, he has been recognised as a pioneer of the many unconventional and imaginative goal celebrations seen since then. He was named one of the 125 greatest living football players in 2004 by the legendary Brazilian football player Pelé
.
His son is Cameroonian international footballer Marcel Mahouve
.
, he moved constantly as a child because of his father's railroad job. He signed for his first club in Douala
as a 13-year-old. At 18, he won his first league championship with another Douala club.
In 1974, by which time he had moved to Tonnerre Yaoundé
and was awarded the African Footballer of the Year
award.
In 1977, he was lured to Europe by the French
club Valenciennes
. However, he was kept on the reserves for two years. In 1979, he joined AS Monaco
, but shuttled between the reserves' bench and the injury list. The next year, he joined Bastia, but still did not flourish. He finally found stardom at Saint-Etienne
in 1984; he then starred for Montpellier from 1986 to 1989, and became a member of the club's coaching staff after retiring from French football.
(in 1978). He was a member of Cameroon's team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup
, having a goal disallowed against Peru in their first match. Cameroon went out with three draws from their three first-round games. Two years later, he was part of the squad competing at the 1984 Summer Olympics
in Los Angeles, California
. He first retired from international football in 1987, and eventually moved to Réunion
in the Indian Ocean
for his retirement.
However, in 1990, he received a phone call from the President of Cameroon Paul Biya
, who pleaded with him to come out of retirement and rejoin the national team. He agreed, and went to Italy
with the Indomitable Lions for the 1990 World Cup.
ever since. Two of his goals came against Romania
in Cameroon's second game, and two more came in extra time against Colombia
in the last 16 to carry Cameroon to the quarter-finals, the furthest an African team had ever advanced at the World Cup (Senegal
matched this feat in 2002, and Ghana
matched it in 2010). In the quarter-final match against England, Milla confirmed his super-sub legend by entering in the second half with Cameroon trailing 1–0 and drawing a penalty and then setting up a goal for Ekeke to give Cameroon the lead before eventually losing 3–2.
His second goal celebration against Colombia has been the subject of the 2010 World Cup
Coca Cola advertisement.
at the age of 42, being the oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup. Cameroon were knocked out in the group stages; however, Milla scored a goal against Russia
, setting a record as the oldest goalscorer
in a World Cup tournament.
, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé
in conjunction with FIFA
's centenary celebrations.
Milla starred in a Coca Cola advertisement for 2010 FIFA World Cup
as the originator of dancing whilst celebrating when scoring a goal. He is seen in the crowd drinking Coca cola.
|1968–69||rowspan="2"|Eclair de Douala||||28||1||||||||
|-
|1969–70||||29||5||||||||
|-
|1970–71||rowspan="4"|Léopard de Douala||||29||25||||||||
|-
|1971–72||||30||20||||||||
|-
|1972–73||||28||19||||||||
|-
|1973–74||||30||25||||||||
|-
|1974–75||rowspan="3"|Tonnerre Yaoundé
||||29||23||||||||
|-
|1975–76||||28||26||||||||
|-
|1976–77||||30||20||||||||
|-
|1977–78||rowspan="2"|Valenciennes
||rowspan="2"|Division 1
||0||0||||||||
|-
|1978–79||28||6||||||||
|-
|1979–80||Monaco
||Division 1
||17||2||||||||
|-
|1980–81||rowspan="4"|Bastia
||rowspan="4"|Division 1
||30||9||||||||
|-
|1981–82||23||8||||||||
|-
|1982–83||29||13||||||||
|-
|1983–84||31||5||||||||
|-
|1984–85||rowspan="2"|Saint-Étienne
||rowspan="2"|Division 2
||31||22||||||||
|-
|1985–86||28||9||||||||
|-
|1986–87||rowspan="3"|Montpellier
||Division 2
||33||18||||||||
|-
|1987–88||rowspan="2"|Division 1
||33||12||||||||
|-
|1988–89||29||7||||||||
|-
|1989||rowspan="2"|Saint-Pierroise
||||||||||||||
|-
|1990||||||||||||||
|-
|1990–91||rowspan="4"|Tonnerre Yaoundé
||||29||22||||||||
|-
|1991–92||||30||19||||||||
|-
|1992–93||||27||23||||||||
|-
|1993–94||||30||25||||||||
|-
|1994–95||rowspan="1"|Pelita Jaya
||rowspan="1"|Premier Division||23||23||||||||
|-
|1995–96||rowspan="1"|Putra Samarinda
||rowspan="1"|Premier Division||?||18||||||||
377||253||||||||
312||111||||||||
||||||||||
23+||41||||||||
712+||405||||||||
. The election was held by the CAF, the African football association.
Cameroon
Cameroon, officially the Republic of Cameroon , is a country in west Central Africa. It is bordered by Nigeria to the west; Chad to the northeast; the Central African Republic to the east; and Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and the Republic of the Congo to the south. Cameroon's coastline lies on the...
ian footballer who played as a striker. He was one of the first Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n players to be a major star on the international stage. He played in three World Cups
FIFA World Cup
The FIFA World Cup, often simply the World Cup, is an international association football competition contested by the senior men's national teams of the members of Fédération Internationale de Football Association , the sport's global governing body...
for the Cameroon national team
Cameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
.
He achieved international stardom at 38 years old, an age at which most forward-playing footballers have retired, by scoring four goals at the 1990 World Cup
1990 FIFA World Cup
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the quadrennial international football world championship tournament. It was held from 8 June to 8 July 1990 in Italy, the second country to host the event twice. Teams representing 116 national football associations from all six populated...
, the most memorable of which came in the match against Colombia when he dispossessed the showboating Colombian goalkeeper René Higuita
René Higuita
José René Higuita Zapata is a former Colombian football goalkeeper nicknamed El Loco...
35 yards from goal, going on to score in the empty net with Higuita stranded. He helped the Cameroon team reach the quarter-finals.
He is also remembered for his trademark goal celebration of running to the corner flag and performing a dance. In the years that have followed, he has been recognised as a pioneer of the many unconventional and imaginative goal celebrations seen since then. He was named one of the 125 greatest living football players in 2004 by the legendary Brazilian football player Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
.
His son is Cameroonian international footballer Marcel Mahouve
Marcel Mahouvé
Marcel Mahouvé is a Cameroonian football player. He is a son of former Cameroonian footballer, Roger Milla.Marcel has played for Tonnerre Yaounde, Dynamo Douala, Putra Samarinda, Montpellier Herault SC, Clermont Foot Auvergne, FC Inter Turku, Hamilton Academical and 1.FC Saarbrücken. He was also...
.
Club career
Born in the Cameroonian capital of YaoundéYaoundé
-Transportation:Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport is a major civilian hub, while nearby Yaoundé Airport is used by the military. Railway lines run west to the port city of Douala and north to N'Gaoundéré. Many bus companies operate from the city; particularly in the Nsam and Mvan neighborhoods...
, he moved constantly as a child because of his father's railroad job. He signed for his first club in Douala
Douala
Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Province. Home to Cameroon's largest port and its major international airport, Douala International Airport, it is the commercial capital of the country...
as a 13-year-old. At 18, he won his first league championship with another Douala club.
In 1974, by which time he had moved to Tonnerre Yaoundé
Tonnerre Yaoundé
Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaoundé are a football club based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The club was most prominent during the 1980s, winning all of their 5 national championship during the decade. They have also won the national cup 5 times...
and was awarded the African Footballer of the Year
African Footballer of the Year
The African Footballer of the Year award, presented to the best African football player each year, has been conferred by the Confederation of African Football since 1992. An earlier African Footballer of the Year Golden Ball award was given out between 1970 and 1994 by France Football magazine...
award.
In 1977, he was lured to Europe by the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
club Valenciennes
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
. However, he was kept on the reserves for two years. In 1979, he joined AS Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
, but shuttled between the reserves' bench and the injury list. The next year, he joined Bastia, but still did not flourish. He finally found stardom at Saint-Etienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
in 1984; he then starred for Montpellier from 1986 to 1989, and became a member of the club's coaching staff after retiring from French football.
National team
While playing in France, he made his first appearance for the Cameroon national teamCameroon national football team
The Cameroon national football team, nicknamed Les Lions Indomptables , is controlled by the Fédération Camerounaise de Football and is Africa's most successful side in FIFA world cup; having qualified for the FIFA World Cup six times – in 1982, 1990, 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010– more than any...
(in 1978). He was a member of Cameroon's team at the 1982 FIFA World Cup
1982 FIFA World Cup
The 1982 FIFA World Cup, the 12th FIFA World Cup, was held in Spain from 13 June to 11 July. The tournament was won by Italy, after defeating West Germany 3–1 in the final.-Host selection:...
, having a goal disallowed against Peru in their first match. Cameroon went out with three draws from their three first-round games. Two years later, he was part of the squad competing at the 1984 Summer Olympics
1984 Summer Olympics
The 1984 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIII Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event held in Los Angeles, California, United States in 1984...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. He first retired from international football in 1987, and eventually moved to Réunion
Réunion
Réunion is a French island with a population of about 800,000 located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas departments of France...
in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
for his retirement.
However, in 1990, he received a phone call from the President of Cameroon Paul Biya
Paul Biya
Paul Biya is a Cameroonian politician who has been the President of Cameroon since 6 November 1982. A native of Cameroon's south, Biya rose rapidly as a bureaucrat under President Ahmadou Ahidjo in the 1960s, serving as Secretary-General of the Presidency from 1968 to 1975 and then as Prime...
, who pleaded with him to come out of retirement and rejoin the national team. He agreed, and went to Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
with the Indomitable Lions for the 1990 World Cup.
1990 World Cup
38-year old Milla emerged as one of the tournament's major stars. He scored four goals in Italy, celebrating each one with a dance around the corner post that has become a popular goal celebrationGoal celebration
In football, a goal celebration is the practice of celebrating the scoring of a goal. The celebration may be performed by the goalscorer , his or her teammates, the manager or coaching staff and/or the supporters of the team...
ever since. Two of his goals came against Romania
Romania national football team
The Romania national football team is the national football team of Romania and is controlled by the Romanian Football Federation.Romania is one of only four national teams, the other three being Brazil, France, and Belgium, that took part in the first three World Cups.However, after that...
in Cameroon's second game, and two more came in extra time against Colombia
Colombia national football team
The Colombian national football team represents Colombia in international football competitions and is controlled by the Colombian Football Federation. It is a member of the CONMEBOL...
in the last 16 to carry Cameroon to the quarter-finals, the furthest an African team had ever advanced at the World Cup (Senegal
Senegal national football team
The Senegal national football team, nicknamed the Lions of Teranga, is the national team of Senegal and is controlled by the Fédération Sénégalaise de Football...
matched this feat in 2002, and Ghana
Ghana national football team
The Ghana national football team, popularly known as the Black Stars, is the national association football team of Ghana and is controlled by the Ghana Football Association...
matched it in 2010). In the quarter-final match against England, Milla confirmed his super-sub legend by entering in the second half with Cameroon trailing 1–0 and drawing a penalty and then setting up a goal for Ekeke to give Cameroon the lead before eventually losing 3–2.
His second goal celebration against Colombia has been the subject of the 2010 World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
Coca Cola advertisement.
1994 World Cup
Milla returned to the 1994 FIFA World Cup1994 FIFA World Cup
The 1994 FIFA World Cup, the 15th staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in nine cities across the United States from June 17 to July 17, 1994. The United States was chosen as the host by FIFA on July 4, 1988...
at the age of 42, being the oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup. Cameroon were knocked out in the group stages; however, Milla scored a goal against Russia
Russia national football team
The Russia national football team represents Russia in association football and is controlled by the Russian Football Union , the governing body for football in Russia. Russia's home grounds are Luzhniki Stadium, Lokomotiv Stadium , and Petrovsky Stadium in St.Petersburg and their head coach is...
, setting a record as the oldest goalscorer
FIFA World Cup records
This is a list of records of the FIFA World Cup and its qualification matches.-Most championships:5, -Most finishes in the top two:7, ,...
in a World Cup tournament.
Post-playing career
He is now an itinerant ambassador for African causes. In 2004, he was named to the FIFA 100FIFA 100
The FIFA 100 is a list of the world-renowned Brazilian striker Pelé's choice of the "greatest living footballers". Unveiled on 4 March 2004 at a gala ceremony in London, the FIFA 100 marked part of the celebrations of the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Fédération Internationale de...
, a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected by Pelé
Pelé
However, Pelé has always maintained that those are mistakes, that he was actually named Edson and that he was born on 23 October 1940.), best known by his nickname Pelé , is a retired Brazilian footballer. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest football players of all time...
in conjunction with FIFA
FIFA
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association , commonly known by the acronym FIFA , is the international governing body of :association football, futsal and beach football. Its headquarters are located in Zurich, Switzerland, and its president is Sepp Blatter, who is in his fourth...
's centenary celebrations.
Milla starred in a Coca Cola advertisement for 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
as the originator of dancing whilst celebrating when scoring a goal. He is seen in the crowd drinking Coca cola.
Career statistics
|-|1968–69||rowspan="2"|Eclair de Douala||||28||1||||||||
|-
|1969–70||||29||5||||||||
|-
|1970–71||rowspan="4"|Léopard de Douala||||29||25||||||||
|-
|1971–72||||30||20||||||||
|-
|1972–73||||28||19||||||||
|-
|1973–74||||30||25||||||||
|-
|1974–75||rowspan="3"|Tonnerre Yaoundé
Tonnerre Yaoundé
Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaoundé are a football club based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The club was most prominent during the 1980s, winning all of their 5 national championship during the decade. They have also won the national cup 5 times...
||||29||23||||||||
|-
|1975–76||||28||26||||||||
|-
|1976–77||||30||20||||||||
|-
|1977–78||rowspan="2"|Valenciennes
Valenciennes FC
Valenciennes Football Club is a French association football club based in Valenciennes. The club was founded in 1913 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Valenciennes plays its home matches at the recently-built Stade du Hainaut located within the city...
||rowspan="2"|Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
||0||0||||||||
|-
|1978–79||28||6||||||||
|-
|1979–80||Monaco
AS Monaco FC
Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club are a French football club based in Fontvieille, Monaco. The club was founded in 1924 and currently play in Ligue 2, the second tier of French football. The team plays its home matches at the Stade Louis II located within Fontvieille...
||Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
||17||2||||||||
|-
|1980–81||rowspan="4"|Bastia
SC Bastia
Sporting Club de Bastia is a French association football club based in Bastia on the island of Corsica. The club currently plays in the Championnat National, the third division of French football. Bastia previously had stints in both Ligue 1 and Ligue 2...
||rowspan="4"|Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
||30||9||||||||
|-
|1981–82||23||8||||||||
|-
|1982–83||29||13||||||||
|-
|1983–84||31||5||||||||
|-
|1984–85||rowspan="2"|Saint-Étienne
AS Saint-Étienne
Association Sportive de Saint-Étienne Loire is a French association football club based in Saint-Étienne. The club was founded in 1919 and currently play in Ligue 1, the top division of French football. Saint-Étienne plays its home matches at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard located within the city...
||rowspan="2"|Division 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
||31||22||||||||
|-
|1985–86||28||9||||||||
|-
|1986–87||rowspan="3"|Montpellier
Montpellier HSC
Montpellier Hérault Sport Club is a French association football club based in the city of Montpellier. The club was founded in 1919 and currently plays in Ligue 1, the top level of French football. Montpellier plays its home matches at the Stade de la Mosson, located within the city...
||Division 2
Ligue 2
Ligue 2 , formerly known as Division 2, is a French professional football league. The league serves as the second division of French football and is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel , the other being Ligue 1, the country's top football division...
||33||18||||||||
|-
|1987–88||rowspan="2"|Division 1
Ligue 1
Ligue 1 , is the French professional league for association football clubs. It is the country's primary football competition and serves as the top division of the French football league system. Ligue 1 is one of two divisions making up the Ligue de Football Professionnel, the other being Ligue 2....
||33||12||||||||
|-
|1988–89||29||7||||||||
|-
|1989||rowspan="2"|Saint-Pierroise
JS Saint-Pierroise
Jeunesse Sportive Saint-Pierroise, is a football club from Saint-Pierre, Réunion.-Achievements:*Réunion Premier League: 16*Coupe de la Réunion: 8*Coupe D.O.M: 3-Performance in CAF competitions:...
||||||||||||||
|-
|1990||||||||||||||
|-
|1990–91||rowspan="4"|Tonnerre Yaoundé
Tonnerre Yaoundé
Tonnerre Kalara Club of Yaoundé are a football club based in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The club was most prominent during the 1980s, winning all of their 5 national championship during the decade. They have also won the national cup 5 times...
||||29||22||||||||
|-
|1991–92||||30||19||||||||
|-
|1992–93||||27||23||||||||
|-
|1993–94||||30||25||||||||
|-
|1994–95||rowspan="1"|Pelita Jaya
Pelita Jaya
Pelita Jaya FC is an Indonesian football team located in Karawang, Indonesia founded in 1986. It was one of the most successful clubs in the Galatama era. The club's finance is mostly supported by The Bakrie Group....
||rowspan="1"|Premier Division||23||23||||||||
|-
|1995–96||rowspan="1"|Putra Samarinda
Persisam Putra Samarinda
Persisam Putra Samarinda, is a professional Indonesian football club. It's located in Samarinda. It is forced from Persisam Samarinda and Putra Samarinda in 2000. Gait second one city with a different team management in the national football scene spelled bad...
||rowspan="1"|Premier Division||?||18||||||||
377||253||||||||
312||111||||||||
||||||||||
23+||41||||||||
712+||405||||||||
Honours
In 2006, Milla was chosen for best African player of the last century, ending up ahead of El Khatib and HassanHossam Hassan
Hossam Hassan Hussein is a retired Egyptian footballer who played as a striker, and a current coach.A prolific goalscorer, he amassed well over 150 caps for Egypt, netting more than 50 times...
. The election was held by the CAF, the African football association.