ROGER MILLA

Albert Roger Miller, famously known as Roger Milla, is a retired Cameroonian footballer whose career as a forward has left an indelible mark on the sport. He was born on May 20, 1952 in Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon. Renowned for his extraordinary longevity and late-career heroics, Milla emerged as a global star and one of the first African players to gain international fame. His career, spanning three World Cups, is highlighted by unprecedented achievements and iconic goal celebrations.

Milla's rise to international prominence came at an age when most forwards would have long retired. At 38, he captivated the world during the 1990 FIFA World Cup by scoring four goals, making him the oldest goalscorer in the tournament's history at the time. His stellar performance helped Cameroon become the first African team to reach the World Cup quarter-finals. Remarkably, Milla surpassed his own record in the 1994 World Cup at the age of 42 by scoring against Russia, once again becoming the oldest goalscorer in World Cup history.

Celebrated for his jubilant goal celebrations, Milla was often seen running to the corner flag and dancing, a gesture that became emblematic of his exuberant style and joy for the game. In recognition of his contributions to football, Pelé named Milla in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players in 2004. Three years later, the Confederation of African Football honored him as the best African player of the previous 50 years.

Milla's early life was marked by a clerical error that led to his name being recorded as Roger Miller. Despite this, his family, which moved to Douala when he was 11, always intended for him to bear the surname Milla. Raised in a middle-class family, Milla's parents were initially reluctant about his pursuit of football. However, he honed his skills playing barefoot on the streets, often using oranges or tin cans as makeshift balls. His natural talent soon became evident as he played for Eclair de Douala’s junior team and later their senior team, leading to an illustrious club career in Cameroon.

He played for Léopard Douala and Tonnerre Yaoundé, achieving significant success, including winning the African Cup Winners' Cup. His move to France at the age of 25 marked the beginning of a notable European career, where he played for clubs such as Valenciennes, AS Monaco, Bastia, Saint-Etienne, and Montpellier, winning domestic cups and becoming a crucial player for his teams.

Internationally, Milla was capped 77 times for Cameroon, scoring 43 goals. His debut came in 1973 against Zaire in a World Cup qualifier. He was instrumental in Cameroon’s first World Cup appearance in 1982 and played a key role in their victories in the African Cup of Nations, securing the title in 1984 and 1988. Although he initially retired in 1988, a personal request from Cameroon's President Paul Biya brought him back for the 1990 World Cup, where his performances became legendary.

Milla's 1990 World Cup success, including two crucial goals against Romania and two more in extra time against Colombia, propelled Cameroon to the quarter-finals, a feat unmatched by any African team until Senegal in 2002 and Ghana in 2010. His return to the World Cup in 1994 at 42 further cemented his legacy, despite Cameroon’s early exit.

After retiring, Milla became an ambassador for African causes, contributing to environmental efforts with the World Wide Fund for Nature and recycling initiatives. He also ventured into coaching, taking roles with Montpellier and Tonnerre. His influence extended beyond football, and in 2004, he was named to the FIFA 100 list. His legacy was celebrated at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where FIFA President Gianni Infantino honored him for his contributions to the sport.

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