Rigobert Song

Who are they?

A centre-back born in 1976 in Nkenglikok, in the Nyong-et-Kellé department. He made his name at Metz, played for Salernitana, Liverpool, West Ham, Cologne and Lens, became a fan favourite at Galatasaray and ended his career at Trabzonspor.

What made them famous

With 137 caps between 1993 and 2010, he holds Cameroon's appearance record. An iconic captain, he won the African Cup of Nations in 2000 and 2002 and played at four World Cups (1994, 1998, 2002, 2010).

Key facts

• He played at eight African Cups of Nations, a record, and was named player of the tournament in 2002.
• Sent off against Brazil in 1994 aged 17, he is the youngest player ever dismissed at a World Cup; sent off again against Chile in 1998, he became the first player to be red-carded at two different World Cups.
• Cameroon manager from February 2022 to February 2024, he led the side that beat Brazil 1–0 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
• He is the uncle of Alex Song, also a Cameroon international.