Adebayor: Helping Others is More Fulfilling Than Scoring Goals

Emmanuel Adebayor will mark the end of his football career with a testimonial match in Togo on Sunday. The event will see top African and European footballers like Samuel Eto'o, Jay-Jay Okocha, and the Toure brothers come together to celebrate his achievements, including leading Togo to their first and only FIFA World Cup appearance.

Now, Adebayor wants to help the next generation in his homeland, driven by his own upbringing and the traumatic 2010 attack on the Togo national team. "Helping people is more fulfilling than scoring in the Premier League or Champions League," the 40-year-old said in an interview with BBC Sport Africa.

As a child, Adebayor couldn’t walk for the first few years of his life. His family sought help through spiritual leaders in Ghana, and a football changed everything. One day, a ball rolled into the church, and young Adebayor ran to it. That was the moment his relationship with football began.

After starting his career in Togo, Adebayor moved to French club Metz, then to Monaco, before joining Arsenal in 2006. Signing for Arsenal was one of the highlights of his career, especially since his idol was Nwankwo Kanu, and he got to wear Kanu’s number 25 jersey. Adebayor’s standout performances for Arsenal, particularly in 2008, earned him the African Footballer of the Year award, making him the only Togolese player to receive that honor.

In 2006, the same year Adebayor joined Arsenal, Togo qualified for their first World Cup, a remarkable achievement for such a small nation. Adebayor scored 11 goals in qualifying, leading the team past the likes of Senegal. While Togo’s World Cup campaign in Germany was disappointing, just making it to the tournament was a major accomplishment.

Tragedy struck in 2010 when the Togo team bus was attacked by gunmen in Angola ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. The attack left two people dead, and the survivors, including Adebayor, were deeply affected. "It’s something you never forget," Adebayor said, recalling the trauma from that day.

Despite playing for top clubs in Europe, Adebayor won just one major trophy, the Copa del Rey with Real Madrid in 2011. He looks back on his career with no regrets, grateful for the experiences, and continues to stay in touch with managers like Tim Sherwood, who reignited his form at Tottenham in 2013.

Since retiring, Adebayor has focused on his foundation, which he set up to help children in Togo access education and opportunities. He hopes to continue making an impact, with plans to open an Emmanuel Adebayor University in the near future.