Role Models & Lifestyle: Roger Milla

"I play football since I’m 8. Pieces of clothes wrapped in a ball, an orange, an empty can, anything would get my friends and I in the neighbourhood to have a game. I was a pretty good goalkeeper!"
1. If I was on your doorstep right now, where would you take me?
I would invite you inside. If you walk into my home with good intentions and a clean heart, I will receive you like family. So long as there is enough food for the family, there is also enough for others. My parents were generous people and I don’t intend to change that.
2. Who else would you invite?
I don’t make any distinction between my friends and acquaintances. Like I said, everybody is welcome.
3. What book are you reading right now?
At the moment I’m reading André Agassi whom I adore as a tennis player. He played classic tennis and he never gave up. His courage and the mastery of his game appealed to me because it reminded me of my style of play. I must add that although Yannick Noah is from Cameroon, he decided to play for France. He could have played for both countries.
4. Who do you call all the time?
My wife, because I like to check on how the kids are doing. But above all to talk to her. When you are in love, you miss that person. It is my third marriage. Both my first two wives died, the second one in a car accident in 2007.   
5. Who or what makes you laugh most?
I laugh quite often thanks to a little guy by the name of Eric Cantona. We gave him the name of the famous French soccer player because they share the same first name. He is very funny, making jokes about the different tribes in Cameroon.
6. When was the last time you cried and why?
About 2 weeks ago, I lost one of my friends. It was a not a big cry but tears ran down my cheeks. I am a firm believer in friendship. I’m addicted to it. It is one of the biggest blessings. 

7. What made you decide to do what you do?
I play football since I’m 8. Pieces of clothes wrapped in a ball, an orange, an empty can, anything would get my friends and I in the neighbourhood to have a game. I used to be the goalkeeper but then I became an attacker. I was a pretty good goalkeeper! (laughs)

And then, in the 60’s and 70’s in Cameroon, there were championships at school and university levels. All the great Cameroonian soccer players you know have gone through it. It is those championships that formed us. And I was lucky then to fall on people like late Nanga Maurice, Yono Calvin and François Moaboting who injected in me the love of football.

8. Being a role model yourself, who is your role model?
It would be my father. He was a serious man, hard working and jovial. But also my mother who looked after the running of the house. They both contributed to who I am and I love them both.
9. What was your first association with the Netherlands?
It was with the All Stars Cameroon National Team, a team with players who are about to retire. We were playing international games. And we also came to Holland and I played against the Kerkhof brothers.
10. I am proud of being an African because...
...
I love Africa. I am black and I love my skin, the one God has given to me. It is the continent chosen by God for me. So, this is my pride.

Watch below some stunning goals by Milla, including the two most memorable ones against Colombia during the 1990 World Cup in Italy: 

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