From Controversial goal celebration against former club, Family drama with his late mom and sister, playing for more than half a dozen clubs across Europe, we take a look at the life of One of African greatest. Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor.
Once a promising young striker, Emmanuel Adebayo rose to fame during his time at Arsenal Football Club. His impressive goal-scoring record and flamboyant celebrations made him a fan favorite. However, controversies soon followed Adebayo throughout his career.
Emmanuel Adebayor’s rise to fame in the football world was nothing short of remarkable. Born in Togo, Adebayor began his football career at a young age and quickly made a name for himself. In 2006, he signed with Arsenal and quickly established himself as a top striker, scoring 46 goals in 104 appearances.
Adebayor’s time at Arsenal was marked by several memorable goal celebrations. One of his most famous celebrations came after scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the North London Derby in 2007, where he ran the length of the pitch to slide in front of the away fans. The celebration made him a hero among Arsenal fans, but it also drew criticism from some quarters.
In 2009, Adebayor made a controversial move to Manchester City for a reported fee of £25 million. The move was met with mixed reactions, with some Arsenal fans feeling betrayed by the striker’s decision to leave. Adebayor had a successful stint at City, scoring 18 goals in his first season and helping the club win the FA Cup in 2011.
One of the most memorable controversies was his infamous “handcuff” celebration, which caused a stir among fans and the media. Adebayo defended his actions, stating that it was a tribute to his friend who had been wrongly imprisoned.
In 2011, Adebayor joined Tottenham Hotspur on loan from Manchester City. He quickly became a fan favorite at Spurs, scoring 18 goals in his first season and helping the team reach the League Cup final in 2015. However, his time at Tottenham was also marked by controversy. In 2014, he was fined by the FA for a goal celebration in which he ran the length of the pitch to taunt Arsenal fans after scoring against his former club.
In 2011, Adebayor also had a brief spell at Real Madrid, where he was brought in on loan from Manchester City. He played a handful of games for the Spanish giants, but his time at the club was largely forgettable.
Adebayor’s international career was also marked by drama. In 2010, he was involved in a high-profile dispute with the Togo Football Federation over unpaid bonuses, which led to the team boycotting the Africa Cup of Nations. The incident brought negative attention to Adebayor and his country, and the striker was heavily criticized for his role in the dispute.
Adebayor’s family life has also been marked by controversy. In 2015, he made headlines when he publicly accused his family of using him for financial gain. In a series of Facebook posts, Adebayor accused his family of demanding money from him and making false accusations against him in the media.
Despite his controversies, Adebayor remained a popular figure among football fans. His physical presence and clinical finishing made him a feared striker, and his goal celebrations often made headlines. However, his career began to decline in the latter stages, and he struggled to find a club that would give him regular playing time.
In 2019, Adebayor joined Turkish club Kayserispor on a one-year contract. However, his time at the club was largely forgettable, and he left after just six months. In 2020, he joined Paraguayan club Olimpia, where he played a handful of games before leaving the club in early 2021.
Adebayor’s retirement from professional football in December 2021 marked the end of a career that spanned nearly two decades. Despite his controversies, he will be remembered as one of the top strikers of his generation and a player who left a lasting impression on the football world.
