Emmanuel Adebayor: What is the Togolese footballer doing today?
Chloe Fournier
Dailysports's expert
Emmanuel Adebayor is a famous Togolese footballer who played as a striker. He was born on February 26, 1984 in Lome, Togo. During his career, he played for clubs such as: Metz, Monaco, London Arsenal, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, as well as for Turkish clubs Istanbul Basaksehir and Kayserispor. On the international stage, Adebayor represented the Togolese national team, becoming a key figure in its history.
In this article, we invite you to dive into the life of Emmanuel and find out what he is doing now. Let's recall the key events of his biography, his achievements and contribution to his field, as well as his current projects. We will pay special attention to how his activities are reflected in modern society and why he continues to be a significant figure.
Club career and death threats
Emmanuel Adebayor began his career at Metz (2001/02), where he scored 13 goals in his second season. He moved to Monaco, with whom he reached the 2003/04 Champions League final. In 2006, he joined Arsenal, where he scored 62 goals in 142 matches, becoming the club's top scorer in the 2007/08 season with 30 goals. In 2009, he moved to Manchester City, but after a loan to Real Madrid (2011), he ended up at Tottenham.
In one of the head-to-head confrontations, Emmanuel Adebayor found himself in the center of events, becoming the author of one of the most intense 18 minutes in the modern history of the Premier League. In the 10th minute, he scored a goal against Arsenal, and just 7 minutes later he played roughly against Santi Cazorla, which provoked a mass brawl on the field. The conflict died down only after the referee sent off the Togolese striker. It is noteworthy that on that day even Tottenham fans booed their player, effectively uniting the fans of the two London clubs.
As for the booing from Tottenham fans, the reason lies in Adebayor's difficult relationship with the club. In the previous season, he rarely appeared on the field, and in the summer he refused to move to West Ham and Aston Villa due to financial disagreements.
In the autumn, his physical condition left much to be desired, and coach Mauricio Pochettino openly stated:
"The situation is clear, Adebayor is not in the club's plans."
Then, during that difficult period, the fans did not know that Emmanuel was going through serious family difficulties. At the end of the summer, his brother Peter died, and another brother, Kola, accused Emmanuel of insufficient help in business, which allegedly undermined Peter's health. Six months later, pondering the answer, Emmanuel, while training with the Tottenham children, posted on Facebook in February in which he claimed that his brothers were planning to kill him.
These claims caused a stir.
“One day, when I was playing for Monaco, my brothers, Kola and Peter, came to see me unannounced. They said they wanted to start a car business and needed money. A lot of money. I said I would help them when I got my salary and they waited. One day, my good friend Pagio came to see me and as he was leaving, I gave him 500 euros. When my brother Kola saw this, he was very upset. He asked me why I gave the money to Pagio and not to him. I tried to explain that he needed much more, but he would not calm down.
We had a fight.
The next morning, I woke up with my brother holding a knife to my throat. Peter was mad, Kola was no better. He was screaming that I was wasting their time.
I asked my brothers: “So, is this how you want to deal with me? Go ahead, kill me and take the money!”
But they put the knife away. I called the police, but I didn’t report my brothers. They are blood relatives. Peter left soon after, and I was left alone with Kola. I found a way to give him the entire amount, I did it for my own safety.”
He later played for Crystal Palace, Istanbul Basaksehir and Kayserispor.
National team career
Emmanuel Adebayor has become a true legend of the Togolese national team thanks to his outstanding achievements on the international stage. One of the highlights of his career was his participation in the 2006 World Cup qualifiers. In this competition, he scored 11 goals, which was not only an outstanding personal achievement, but also a historic event for the national team. It was thanks to his goals that Togo qualified for the World Cup for the first time in its history. This success became a major milestone in the development of football in the country, inspiring a new generation of players and fans. However, Adebayor's path in the national team was not without its problems. The athlete repeatedly faced conflicts with the leadership of the Togolese Football Federation.
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Nevertheless, his loyalty to his country and team remained unchanged. Despite these difficulties, Adebayor earned the respect of both his teammates and fans, and became the captain of the national team. His leadership qualities and playing skills allowed him to inspire players and maintain team spirit even in the most difficult situations.
In February 2016, Adebayor announced his retirement from international football, which came as a surprise to football fans in Togo and beyond. However, just a month later, he decided to return to the national team, demonstrating that his love for football and sense of duty to his country were stronger than temporary hardships. This move cemented his status as a national hero, who always put the interests of the team above personal circumstances.
His return was a symbol of loyalty and resilience, highlighting his importance as a player and leader.
Life after football
A former world-class striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, who retired from professional football in March 2023, is now actively involved in charity work, inspiring a new generation and exploring political opportunities. His life is full of events that reveal the many facets of his personality.
Since retiring, Adebayor has focused on supporting the people of his native Africa. In Togo, he initiated the opening of a school and a clinic, providing children and adults with the opportunity to receive education and medical care. In Ghana, he helped implement projects to provide cities with quality water supply. These initiatives made him not only popular but also a respected leader among Africans.
In December 2017, Adebayor demonstrated his commitment to family by adopting his late brother’s son, Junior Emmanuel. In addition, in 2015, he converted to Islam, emphasizing the importance of the spiritual path in his life. These events strengthened his reputation as a person who is capable of making bold decisions and taking responsibility.
Social Media Activity
Social media has become a platform for Adebayor to share his thoughts, memories of his football career and moments from his daily life. Here, he inspires young people not only from Africa but also from all over the world, publishing stories about his charitable projects and participation in significant events.
Political Ambitions
In November 2024, it became known that Adebayor may begin a political career. Many see him as a man who can change the situation in Togo. His influence and authority among young people, as well as his active public position, make him a promising candidate for any political post.
In addition, Togo has named a street after him. This decision was made by local authorities in recognition of his significant contribution to the development of football and the popularization of sports both in the country and abroad.
Thanks to his active public position and participation in various projects, Adebayor continues to inspire the younger generation of athletes and remains a significant figure in African football.
