The ex-Cameroon defender has said that the PSG superstar is not wanted in Africa
Former Tottenham defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto has restarted a feud with Paris Saint-Germain sensation Kylian Mbappe.
Assou-Ekotto previously took a swipe at the teenager via a tweet in the spring, suggesting that the forward does not care as much about his heritage as he would profess.
Like Assou-Ekotto, Mbappe was born in France to parents of Cameroonian extraction, but unlike the 34-year-old former Lens, Saint-Etienne and Metz full-back, he chose to play international for the country of his birth.
The PSG star had spoken of his desire to honour his family’s roots by helping to develop the game on the continent of his heritage over a dinner meeting with French president Emmanuel Macron and Liberian president George Weah.
“European players of African origin who hold Africa in their hears and who want to help the sport in Africa… blah, blah, blah… while rushing to play for a European national team make me chuckle,” the former Cameroon defender, who was born in Arras said.
“It looks good when you have a cause though.”
It sparked a sarcastic response from Mbappe, who twisted Assou Ekotto’s own words as he tweeted a reply.
Assou Ekotto responded with a quote from French author Victor Hugo: “A lion who copies becomes a monkey.”
Now he has reopened the debate while speaking with RMC.
“Put yourself in the place of the players from Cameroon,” he said. “You, a French player are going to come to develop us… Stay at home, help your guys in Bondy, in your neighbourhood, in your France.
“Yes, you love Africa, but you never go there. So what’s the story? Yes, you love your wife, but you go out with another. It’s a game I know, manipulate public opinion, blah, blah blah.”
The feud seems to have had its roots in a clash between PSG and Metz at the start of last season, in which Assou-Ekotto was sent off for clashing with the young France international.
He has, however, since hung up his boots, while Mbappe’s star has only risen, becoming the second teenager ever to score in a World Cup final as he helped France to Russia 2018 glory in the summer.
watman
0
What do you mean life is like hell in Africa? Maybe where you live, if you live in Africa at all.
He's right. life in English speaking Cameroon is currently worst that hell. the government of French Cameroon is on mission to wipe out English speaking Cameroonians.
watman
0
mbappe has no African roots,talk less of Cameroon.If you can't play for Cameroon, why help develop.pls stay & keep on with France. We are okay with what we have.
he is being manipulated by weed
dudabcdist
0
Do u actually knw Asso , he is not a waste in the field . he is a great guy with the heart of a lion on the field . He did very well while on Spurs. don't condemn someone that u don't about.
fetaceiop
0
Cameroon is Cameroon with or without mbappe. one day you will be treated as Ozil, when you win you are France but when you loooose, your root will be remembered.
Nonsense, total jealousy...
fetaceiop
0
This waste baller keeps pressuring this young football king, mainly because he is badmind but he will never be like Mbappe, so mr badmind just hold a seat because you are the least, nobody ever even sees you much less to talk about your career because you had an under average career. What has you contribute to develop African football mr badmind ??
hebcikltuz
0
mbape can play for any country he chooses btwn his country of origin and country of birth but let him stop being a hypocrit bc Cameroon needs his talent more than any other help he might offer, if God gave him to Cameroonian parents it was for a reason and I'm sure that the reason wasn't for him to play for France
powerthug
3
waste Assou-Ekotto stop being so jealous of mbappe success , if mbappe parents wanted him to play for Cameroon his mother would have born in Cameroon , mbappe is playing for the country he was born ,
Akuta
2
assou is very right about kylian he is a gud player but also a liar he has an African ancestry yet he plays for France we all know he playing for France in order to get recognition so mbappe fans shud be quiet think before posting
Africa1250292
5
Envy? Just let the kid be, Africa is proud of him no matter.
wiwbnpsy
0
"has no african roots" how is he black then..
Ask him,bc he echoed such words last year.
wiwbnpsy
0
I am ashamed of ekotto and his co-travellers.Why are you jealous of mbappe for God's sake?,why not encourage & support this young teenager to rise like pele?Mbappe has made the right choice by playing for France,asking him to play for Cameroon is lack of respect for Mbappe' s right & decision. Ekotto,you have had your good time,allow the young ones coming up to also have their good times.You are not in any position to dictate to him which country he should play for.Respect his decision pls.
misunderstood. Ekotto & Cameroon players will dev Cameroon their fatherland, so Mbappe should dev France
Kuteesa Kalangala Ug
0
He didn't breach himself. He is still black
Ruzdmn
2
I am ashamed of ekotto and his co-travellers.Why are you jealous of mbappe for God's sake?,why not encourage & support this young teenager to rise like pele?Mbappe has made the right choice by playing for France,asking him to play for Cameroon is lack of respect for Mbappe' s right & decision. Ekotto,you have had your good time,allow the young ones coming up to also have their good times.You are not in any position to dictate to him which country he should play for.Respect his decision pls.
Yatacdloyz
1
u all get worrying about baller life when your own is a mess
Yatacdloyz
1
who are u to tell my star baller who is more star baller for u what to do he just won the world cup and u will never win he dose what he wants so don't make comment on his life
Yungie93
0
you lie.Ekotto was called up for France, but he chooses CMR,like Job,Lauren,matip,tchoppo & many others. He just hate the comment of going back to dev.
can you back up your first statement? Ekotto was only asked to play for the youth team, not the senior side. He refused because he didn't share the sentiments of being French, preferring to represent Cameroon.
achuphil
0
mbappe has no African roots,talk less of Cameroon.If you can't play for Cameroon, why help develop.pls stay & keep on with France. We are okay with what we have.
"has no african roots" how is he black then..
wiwbnpsy
0
Assou-Ekotto is being bitter and vindictive in my opinion. He wasn't good enough to play for the French national team, Mbappe was/is. Mbappe has dual nationality, and that gives him the right to play for the country of his choice. As for helping out in Africa, that's up to him, as long as his heart is in the right place.
you lie.Ekotto was called up for France, but he chooses CMR,like Job,Lauren,matip,tchoppo & many others. He just hate the comment of going back to dev.
wiwbnpsy
0
mbappe has no African roots,talk less of Cameroon.If you can't play for Cameroon, why help develop.pls stay & keep on with France. We are okay with what we have.
hopdmnyz
0
Africans no longer have love for their fellow Africans. we ain't surprise that they even ignore their homes of origins. Teach them Ekotto
fipektyz
1
bad mind
Mboy_Swag04
2
Mbappè betrayed us. Africans stick together it’s in our blood.
Pemimnru
1
Cameroon is Cameroon with or without mbappe. one day you will be treated as Ozil, when you win you are France but when you loooose, your root will be remembered.
right bro
Jizcdloyz
3
yeah Cameroon isn't good enough to keep good players bcuz of the useless favouritism going on in the national team.
mubblmpyz
1
Cameroon is Cameroon with or without mbappe. one day you will be treated as Ozil, when you win you are France but when you loooose, your root will be remembered.
Africa9045793
0
the funniest thing is he does nt even visit cmr
Zeedemno
0
i'm Cameroonian but I would not blame a player who chose to play for the country of his birth. cause is not belonged yo player to develop the football in a country but to politics. if there is not foundation things Will not be sound in the long term.as soon as atmosphere is fair those Born abroad would come to play for the country of their parents. but for the while nothing can motivate them to do so especially if they have the talent an the opportunity to play for European countries
Yungie93
4
Assou-Ekotto is being bitter and vindictive in my opinion. He wasn't good enough to play for the French national team, Mbappe was/is. Mbappe has dual nationality, and that gives him the right to play for the country of his choice. As for helping out in Africa, that's up to him, as long as his heart is in the right place.
doyalty
1
a pity
timbelnz
0
He shld stay there, he helps bondy guys but can't help us, I doubt he's got a conscience, de likes of Balotelli and de rest really help Africa but a young lad like DAT does not even think of his roots. 1 thing is certain, de black line DAT separates his buttocks will always be black he can't change that!
hahahahahaaa! That's too much
zataimprsu
2
Dont be stupid , why u care about his identity,Cameroon is in Africa where life is like a hell, thumbs to Mbampee
What do you mean life is like hell in Africa? Maybe where you live, if you live in Africa at all.
nondmnoy
1
Patrick Viera is an african
Gabrieljackson
0
I think he has the right to choose where he wants to play and helping football in Cameroon isn't bad either not every African can play for Africa ok dele alli, Timothy weah, pogba, kante etc couldn't play for their African countries but that doesn't make them bad.
I don't know his intentions but what if he is genuine and really wants to help. I am from Nigeria and I play football so trust me I'll take help from any one because it's very hard to come by so I am sure young footballers in Cameroon will take his help.
nondmnoy
1
Why worry about Mbappe, Zidane is an african
CraigJack
0
I think he has the right to choose where he wants to play and helping football in Cameroon isn't bad either not every African can play for Africa ok dele alli, Timothy weah, pogba, kante etc couldn't play for their African countries but that doesn't make them bad.
So if he chooses France then he should stop blah blah blah abt developing African football. I understand Ekouto perfectly Mbappe is manipulating public opinion, he's being a hypocrite.
nondmnoy
1
Dont be stupid , why u care about his identity,Cameroon is in Africa where life is like a hell, thumbs to Mbampee
Dozcekmopr
4
if mbappe did loved his heritage he would have done everything to play for Cameroon
Gabrieljackson
2
I think he has the right to choose where he wants to play and helping football in Cameroon isn't bad either not every African can play for Africa ok dele alli, Timothy weah, pogba, kante etc couldn't play for their African countries but that doesn't make them bad.
Africa9045793
0
He shld stay there, he helps bondy guys but can't help us, I doubt he's got a conscience, de likes of Balotelli and de rest really help Africa but a young lad like DAT does not even think of his roots. 1 thing is certain, de black line DAT separates his buttocks will always be black he can't change that!
XxKleit12xX
0
Wasted at a joker league
He's not a wasted
Barcelona-Arsenal
3
problem with some African people is, if they are born outside Africa but have heritage from Africa, they say "Play for the nation your family comes from" but if they are born in Africa but have other heritage, they say "Play for Africa, you were born here!" it happens with all nations, and all of what they say is hypocritical, like Laporte's french-spain conflict now or Tim Weah's American-African
Yatacdloyz
1
PSG & Mbappe......are just Overrated....they played a Real Team that wanted 2 Win.
when last Liverpool won something and they just started to look good hard Wrk and still don't win anything wait till PSG get strong in defense. PSG could have bet Liverpool but next time we will see
Shrivastava
1
Hopefully he has a personality ...
Abbyabbie
1
Ya.. Have to agree.. He was unstoppable in france.
knackered
1
PSG & Mbappe......are just Overrated....they played a Real Team that wanted 2 Win.
Messiaha
2
Wasted at a joker league
Bidders
0
Incredible talented but need to up his workrate. Overrun and outmuscled at Anfield!