Eduardo CAMAVINGA

フランス

サッカー

誕生年2002

バイオグラフィー

Born in 2002 in Miconge, Angola, Eduardo Camavinga's early life was marked by hardship as his parents fled the civil war in the DR Congo. He arrived in France at age two, growing up on the outskirts of Rennes, a city in northwestern France, along with his five brothers and sisters.

Camavinga initially dabbled in judo but discovered his true calling when his mother enrolled him in the local club AGL Drapeau Fougères. His natural talent on the football field quickly caught the eye of talent scouts, eventually leading to his inclusion in Rennes' youth setup in 2013.

However, his family endured a tragic setback that same year when the house they had built burned down just a year after they had settled in. The family lost all their possessions.

"I remember the fire as if it were yesterday. I was at school and saw the firefighters passing by the window. The teachers approached my little sister and me at the end of class and explained what had happened. My dad came to get us and took us there. Everything was burned, everything was destroyed," Camavinga shared in an interview with Ouest France Newspaper in 2020.

Despite the hardships, the midfielder found solace in football, using it as a source of motivation to support his family. The young star made his breakthrough at Rennes, consistently playing above his age group and eventually making his professional debut at the age of 16. He became the youngest player to start a match for Rennes in over three decades.

From Rennes to Real Madrid

His ability to control the midfield and break up opposition attacks shone in the French Ligue 1 and quickly attracted interest from bigger European clubs. In the summer of 2021, the French star completed a high-profile transfer to the Spanish football powerhouse Real Madrid.

Camavinga's versatility allowed him to excel in various positions, including central midfield, left-back, and defensive midfield, making him a fan favourite among Real Madrid supporters. He already boasts a Spanish league title, a Spanish Cup and the prestigious UEFA Champions League with Los Blancos.

Eduardo Camavinga's debut for France and his passion for refugee rights

After his family's long struggle with refugee status, they were eventually granted French nationality. Camavinga went on to make his debut for the senior French national team in 2020.

While he was initially called to represent France in the delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2020, his then-club, Rennes, refused to permit him to participate. He has continued to make a significant impact on the international stage, playing a key role in France's journey to the final of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar in 2022.

Beyond his sporting achievements, Camavinga has remained connected to his roots and has actively engaged in humanitarian efforts. With a deep understanding of the struggles displaced individuals and families faced, the Real Madrid star has spoken out about the importance of providing support and resources for those affected by war and conflict.

He has echoed the call for donations from the United Nations refugee agency, emphasising the critical role that sports can play in fostering a sense of community and providing physical and emotional well-being among displaced populations.