Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué has shared a deeply emotional account of his difficult life after divorce, revealing financial loss and long-term separation from his children.
The ex-Ivorian international said his life changed dramatically after his marriage broke down, leading to major financial and personal struggles.
Eboué explained that he lost much of his wealth, much of it earned during his successful football career in England, where he played most of his professional football.
“I lost everything. Because of that divorce, I lost a lot. I don’t want to say how much, but it was a lot,” he said. “I lost everything in England because that’s where I built my whole career.”
He added that some people felt he deserved the outcome of the divorce, but he disagrees with that view, saying his actions were always guided by love and commitment.
“People said it was good that she took everything from me. But in life, everything depends on the heart. I got married for love. I gave 100%,” he said on French television.
Eboué also spoke emotionally about his three children, saying he has had very limited contact with them in recent years. He revealed that he struggles daily with the separation and often prays to reunite with them one day.
“I miss my children. Every day I pray for them. I pray that one day I will be able to see them again,” he said. “When I ask their mother, she refuses. I don’t have any recent photos of them.”
One of the most painful moments for him was missing a major milestone in his son’s life. Eboué said he was not informed when his son signed for Chelsea FC, a moment he wished he could have shared as a father.
“I was not there when my son Mathis signed for Chelsea. His mother did not call me,” he added.
Eboué said he has not had contact with his son for several years and hopes for reconciliation in the future so he can be part of his children’s lives again.
