Cameroonian footballer Foë Mark-Vivien: biography, sporting achievements

Foë Mark Vivien is one of the most tragic figures in the history of world football. The talented Cameroonian central midfielder managed to play in many clubs, achieve serious success and die right on the field. Of course, there are dozens of football deaths, but this one was one of the loudest. Until now, many people with horror remember the moment when Mark Vivien fell to the lawn and more from it did not rise.

Well, it's worth looking at his footballer's career and see what this guy achieved for his not a very long life, so tragically cut short. Who was Foë Mark Vivien?

Carier start

Foë Mark Vivien was born in 1975 in Cameroon, where he started playing football. He was in two junior schools, before he began his professional career at the club "Canon" at the age of 18. Unfortunately, his statistics on this club did not survive, but it is worth assuming that his performances were outstanding, since even then he was summoned to the Cameroonian national team and moved to Europe because the French club Lance signed a professional contract with him . So began the incredible journey of a young football player into the world of sports. Foë Mark Vivien is a player who was remembered by many fans of Cameroon, Lance and other French and English clubs.

Performances in Lance

Foë took himself later number 23 - under him it all and remembered. The young cameraman was fast, possessed an impressive game intelligence and elegant pas, perfectly beat opponents and held the ball. In general, he brought a lot of "Lance" for the five years that he stayed at this club. In many ways, thanks to him, this club became the champion of France in 1998 - just then Mark Vivien won his first trophy in Europe.

A year later, together with Lance, he won the French Cup, but still "Lance" is not such a big name in the football world. Therefore, one should not expect that he will stay here throughout his career. So it happened that in 1999, Lans received an offer to buy a 24-year-old midfielder for six million euros (at that time a very large amount of money). The proposal came from the English club "West Ham", and the French could not refuse. Moreover, Mark Vivien himself aspired to England, where he took himself number 23.

The period at West Ham

As it turned out, the Cameroonian football player was just beginning his ascent on the career ladder. "West Ham" was for him the first step, which eventually allowed to climb much higher than anyone could have expected. Mark Vivien improved his skills and demonstrated to the world what he is capable of. Thus, he attracted the attention of the top clubs in Europe, but Cameroonians with French roots still drawn to France.

That is why in 2000 at the age of 25 he again went to this championship, but this time not in "Lance", but in one of the strongest clubs - "Lyon". For "West Ham" Foe played 38 matches, making an impressive contribution to the development of this club. But ahead of him were more serious achievements.

Flowering in the "Lyons"

"Lyon" concluded with the Cameroonian midfielder a two-year contract, which Mark Vivien conscientiously fulfilled. During these two years he managed to repeat his achievement - as with "Lance", Marc-Vivien won with the "Lyon" championship and the French Cup. However, his achievements were not limited to the club level - together with the Cameroon national team, he won twice in the Cup of the African Nations (in 2000 and 2002).

2002 changed the life of Foë, as he again went to England. This time the contract with him was signed by one of the largest clubs of the British island - FC "Manchester City". "Lyon" all the forces tried to keep one of the most talented Cameroon players in history, but the attraction to England was stronger.

The last club of Foix

FC "Manchester City", unfortunately, became the last player club. In 2002, Foë signed a contract at the age of 27 - he played the entire season in Manchester City, becoming a key player, scoring nine goals and almost always leaving in the base. However, a year later the player was waiting for a challenge to the Cameroonian national team and participation in the Confederations Cup, which will be fatal for Mark-Vivien.

General statements for the national team

Separately it is necessary to tell about how Foé played for the national team of Cameroon in general. As it was said before, it was one of the most talented football players of the country in the whole history. And this can be noted because it was with him in 2000 and 2002 that the country won the largest African tournament. In total, Mark Vivienne Foë spent sixty-four games for the national team, scoring eight goals in them. Unfortunately, this number was not able to grow due to the tragedy that occurred in 2003 at the Confederations Cup, held in France. This is exactly what will be discussed right now.

The tragic death of Foë

So, what happened to such a brilliant player as Marc-Vivienne Foë? The cause of death was rather banal - a heart attack, and it was simply impossible to avoid it. But first things first. Cameroon played very confidently in this tournament. In the first match, she defeated the Brazilian national team, one of the most formidable opponents of that time, and then the Turkish team. These two victories, in which Foë took part directly, allowed the national team to qualify for the semi-finals. Therefore, the third group match against the US team Foé spent outside the field - he was given a rest. But in the semifinals against the Colombian national team, he came out in full combat readiness.

Alas, the semi-final of the Confederations Cup in 2003 was the last match in which this talented football player played. Seventy minutes he ran like a routine and did not show anything that something was wrong with him. But on the seventy-first minute the terrible happened - Foie just fell to the lawn and stopped breathing. Doctors tried to save him, tried to pump him out, made him artificial respiration, but nothing helped. And after forty-five minutes Foë did not. So completely suddenly the career and life of one of the most talented African football players, whom this world saw, was cut short. A lot of things were told about him as his partners in all the teams for which he played, and coaches.

Coach Cameroon, who led the team to the Confederations Cup, later admitted that a few minutes before the terrible incident, he wanted to replace Foé, because he looked a little tired. But Mark Vivien showed him that everything is all right, and continued the game. As everyone knows, Foé's 23rd number was assigned to him in the Cameroon national team and in Manchester City, the club for which Mark Vivien dreamed to play his whole life. Well, his dream came true, but, unfortunately, did not last long. Since the death of this Cameroonian football player has passed more than ten years, but he is still remembered and responds exclusively with warmth, and also recall his incredible talent and the desire to win by all means. It is these players that are needed in football at any time.