The striker who scored a goal to end a 15-year drought

History · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Vincent Aboubakar didn't just join the Cameroon national team; he became its most prolific modern engine. From scoring the winning goal in a historic continental final to becoming one of the nation's all-time leading scorers, his journey is a masterclass in resilience and clinical finishing.

Born in Garoua in 1992, Aboubakar emerged as a standout talent, becoming the only Cameroon-based player selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup at just 18 years old. His professional trajectory saw him navigate the demanding leagues of France with Valenciennes and Lorient before moving to Portugal's Porto in 2014. While he initially served as a substitute, his role expanded significantly by 2015, eventually leading to multiple titles and high-profile moves to Turkey's Beşiktaş and Saudi Arabia's Al Nassr.

Aboubakar’s international legacy is defined by high-stakes moments. In the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, he struck an 88th-minute winner against Egypt, securing Cameroon's first continental crown in 15 years. He followed this by becoming the top scorer of the 2021 tournament with eight goals in seven games. His versatility was further proven at the 2022 World Cup, where he scored a goal and an assist against Serbia before netting the winning strike against Brazil.

Despite his accolades—including being named to the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament and France Football's 2017 African Team of the Year—his career has not been without friction. He faced a long-term absence following an anterior cruciate ligament injury in late 2018 and experienced internal squad conflicts at Beşiktaş in 2023, leading to a brief exclusion from the team before being pardoned. Today, he remains one of only a few players with over 110 caps for Cameroon.

He currently sits as the second-highest scorer in the history of the Cameroon national team, trailing only the legendary Samuel Eto'o. His career serves as a bridge between different eras of African football, blending individual clinical prowess with the collective success of a nation seeking to maintain its continental dominance.

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