Carlos Baleba: Brighton and Cameroon midfielder hoping to gentle up the Africa Cup of Nations

Paul Pogba, Thiago Alcantara, Sergio Busquets and Kevin De Bruyne.

The names that spring to Carlos Baleba’s thoughts as he lists off gamers he grew up hoping to mould his personal sport on. Amongst them are a number of World Cups, Champions Leagues, top-flight titles and era-defining moments.

It could take one with lofty ambitions to match not solely their accolades, however their performances on the largest stage. Baleba goes a step additional, although. The objective for him is to not match, however to synthesise.

“I watch a lot of highlights from them. I watch their positioning and their scanning. But I try to be like Carlos Baleba,” he tells Sky Sports activities.

“It is an ambition [of mine] to be the most effective midfielder on this planet. I simply wish to work laborious, to take some recommendation, to take one thing from the midfielders. Not simply within the Premier League, as a result of I realized so much from right here.

“Rodri and others, however I attempt to take [lessons from] outdoors of the Premier League. Like Ligue 1, Vitinha or Joao Neves.

“In LaLiga, Xavi, Iniesta, Busquets. I try to learn every day I’m learning. I’m watching them on YouTube.”

‘Baleba’ is a reputation that is been thrust into the limelight. The 21-year-old’s performances at Brighton final season, marshalling the midfield, positioned him firmly on the radar of Europe’s elite. A transfer did not transpire.

However earlier than it was viral social media hashtags and nine-figure charges, for Baleba, all of it started with a ball at his ft in Douala, Cameroon – the nation Baleba will characterize on the Africa Cup of Nations.

“The first thing I had at my feet was a ball when I was young. My dad wanted me to play football and he wanted me to be a big player.”

Again then, it wasn’t about scanning and positioning for Baleba, who did not even have turning into a central midfielder in thoughts; it was enjoyment.

He and his father used to observe TV and it was wingers like Neymar that first captured his creativeness. Baleba’s father, Eugene, was knowledgeable in Cameroon.

He coached Baleba in Cameroon and had goals of his son emulating the likes of Maradona and Ronaldinho.

Whereas on the floor, Baleba’s bodily profile on the pitch and hopes to orchestrate from deep are a far cry from his father’s prophecy of Ronaldinho and Maradona, the enjoyment they hinged their sport is one which he shares.

Whether or not it is on the pitch or on social media, Baleba is thought for a beaming smile that he says underpins who and what he’s as a footballer.

“If I’m not smiling on the pitch, if I’m not enjoying it, I’m not good. That enjoyment comes from my mum.

“After I was a child, she performed with me, she inspired me. When my dad took me to coach, she was there for me.”

Baleba took his love for the sport to France from Douala with Lille beckoning. After rising by means of the ranks in France, a transfer to Brighton and the Premier League quickly adopted. He made the transfer to the Amex in August 2023, nevertheless it was his performances within the 2024/25 season that made everybody take word.

Below the steerage of Fabian Hurzeler, Baleba emerged as one of many league’s best midfield prospects. However after a whirlwind summer time, it has been a slower begin to this marketing campaign. The highlight was all the time an ambition for Baleba however he did not count on the velocity at which his fame would rise.

“When I see my name everywhere, I’m happy,” he says.

“When I was a kid, it was a wish for my dad and my mum. It’s a wish for me.

“I am completely satisfied, with all of it. Nevertheless it was overwhelming as a result of I’ve executed all the pieces so quick.

“I’ve done things that some players at my age, they don’t do the things like I did. But I’m really happy.”

“I want to show I can be the best midfielder in the world at the AFCON”

Turning into a family identify in England has include a stage of status in his house continent. On the AFCON, Baleba will naturally be appeared upon as a supply of inspiration for Cameroon.

He’ll be hoping to face on the shoulders of giants like Samuel Eto’o, Roger Milla and Rigobert Track and be part of an AFCON-winning facet.

Cameroon certified for AFCON with out dropping a single sport however after lacking out on the World Cup after dropping to DR Congo within the play-offs, issues have not been the rosiest off the pitch for the Indomitable Lions.

There’s reported unrest throughout the camp and sudden adjustments, with now-Cameroonian president Eto’o on the coronary heart of it. However given their heritage within the competitors, Baleba backs his nation to do nicely.

“I believe in my country,” Baleba tells Sky Sports activities.

“I believe in our players. We go to play the AFCON, and I think we’re going to do well.

“Enjoying for Cameroon, for me it is huge, as a result of I wish to win one thing with my nation. It is a pleasure to play for my nation. I wish to win the AFCON and World Cup with my nation!

“I’ve become a big leader but there are a lot of leaders in the group. There are a lot of leaders like Brian Mbeumo.

“However everybody, we will keep collectively and play. And perhaps we may give all of ourselves to our nation. However the very first thing is to consider in our crew.”

Whereas this season hasn’t gone to plan, the AFCON represents a well timed alternative for Baleba to set a special stage alight.

“I want to show my best in this AFCON,” he says.

“I want to show the people that I want to be the best midfielder in the world. I want to be the best midfielder like Yaya Touré in Africa.

“On this AFCON. The very first thing is our nation, our fashion of play and to present all the pieces on the pitch.”

The prospect of winning the AFCON falls in line with what has already been a surging rise to stardom for Baleba. A triumph will make him the hero that those learning will watch on YouTube.

Who will he react if he wins it?

The famous Baleba smile comes out as he says: “I will go loopy.”