Former Arsenal and Ivory Coast defender Emmanuel Eboue has opened up about the drastic turn his life took after his breakup with the mother of his three children.
During an appearance on the 5th House Podcast, the 42-year-old shared how legal issues ultimately left him financially devastated in England, the country where he enjoyed the peak of his professional career.
Eboué, who was a key player for the Gunners during the mid-2000s, revealed that the settlement led to him losing all his assets based in the UK. “I lost a lot. A lot. To be honest, I can’t disclose how much, but it was significant,” he stated, recalling his journey that began in the youth academy of ASEC Mimosas.
“I lost everything in my life while in England. I built my entire career there; I owned several properties, three houses, and a collection of cars. I lost them all, along with my money.” He reflected on his struggles, saying, “I was incredibly down.
Living in a place where the press knew my whereabouts made things even tougher. Each day, they were waiting outside, so I had to cover the windows with boxes, just to avoid being photographed. It really took a toll on me—I didn’t even have the appetite to eat.”
Eboué elaborated on how his downfall began: “My agent demanded €1 million, and I decided I’d rather stop playing football than give them that money. When I refused, my ex-agent reported me to FIFA, resulting in a one-year ban. To escape the spotlight, I moved back to Turkey, trying to keep my situation under wraps, and that’s when the divorce proceedings began.”
He began his European career with Belgium’s Beveren in 2002, but most notably, he spent the crucial years from 2005 to 2011 at Arsenal, making 214 appearances, including playing in the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final. Later, he joined Galatasaray, where he played consistently and clinched five domestic titles in Turkey.
Eboué made his international debut for the Ivory Coast in 2004, earning a total of 79 caps by 2013 and participating in five Africa Cup of Nations tournaments and two World Cups.
Predominantly a right-back, he formed a solid defensive partnership with former teammate Kolo Touré for the Elephants. Eboué scored his first international goal in a 2-2 draw against Germany and was named in Sven-Göran Eriksson’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Emmanuel Eboue had £20 million career earnings, but went broke after his Belgian ex wife won custody of their kids and ownership of ALL HIS ASSETS.
— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) April 24, 2026
He was homeless, after being kicked out of his house.
He got remarried to his Ivorian ex girlfriend in 2019. pic.twitter.com/5svd16iWVs
