Rigobert Song

Early years (1993–1998)

Song started his professional career at Metz. He made several strong appearances that earned him a selection to The Indomitable Lions for the World Cup in 1994.

Liverpool (1999–2000)

Following his Italian experience with Serie A side Salernitana, Song moved to Liverpool in January 1999 for £2.7 million. Having been frozen out by the Italians, he made a good impression during a trial spell at Anfield. Before he arrived, Song already had the distinction of playing in two World Cups for his country. The first Cameroonian player to play for the Reds, Song made his League debut against Coventry City at Highfield Road. Early on he earned the support of Liverpool fans, who appreciated his strength, all-action style and effort. His natural position was centre-back, but during his time at Anfield, Song operated at right-back and became a popular figure with Liverpool fans, who used to affectionately sing "We've only got one Song!" He had a mixed 1999–2000 campaign, missing three months of the season, due to international matches with the Indomitable Lions, captaining them to victory in the 2000 African Nations Cup, and scoring the decisive penalty in the final game against Nigeria. Song was not able to find a spot in the starting eleven during the 2000–01 season, and played just four games. One of the games was a 2000–01 UEFA Cup first round away game against Rapid București. Liverpool eventually won the tournament, making Song a UEFA Cup…

Considered a key player for Cameroon for over a decade, Song played in the 1994, 1998, 2002 and 2010 World Cups. He made his international debut on 22 September 1993, in a game against Mexico. At only 17 years old, Song was given a surprise call-up to Henri Michel's Cameroon squad for the 1994 World Cup, playing two group matches in the finals against Sweden and Brazil. He received a red card in the match against Brazil, becoming the youngest player ever to be sent off in a World Cup. Led by veteran striker Roger Milla, the Indomitable Lions were knocked out in the group stage. The 24 years and 42 days age gap between Milla (42 years and 35 days) and future captain Song (17 years and 358 days) became (and remains) the largest between two teammates in World Cup history. Song then participated at the 1998 World Cup. Led by Song, Patrick Mboma and 17-year old striker Samuel Eto'o, Cameroon were eliminated in the group stage following a draw with Austria (1–1), a loss to Italy (3–0) and another draw with Chile. After receiving a red card in the last game against La Roja, Song broke another record: he became the first player ever to be sent off at two different World Cups. Zinedine Zidane, who was also sent off at this World Cup, has since achieved this feat as well, receiving his second red card in the final of the 2006 tournament. Song was a part of the Cameroon squads that won the 2000 and 2002 Africa Cup of Nations. After winning the 23rd edition of the football championship…

In late 2015, Song was reportedly close to becoming the manager of the Chad national team, but an agreement was never finalised. In February 2016, Song was appointed as manager of the Cameroon A' team, which is composed of players based in Cameroon. Following his hospitalisation for a brain aneurysm and subsequent recovery, Song resumed coaching duties in 2017, ahead of the qualification stage of the 2018 African Nations Championship. He led the team into the tournament, which saw Cameroon finish bottom of their group after two losses and a draw. In April 2018, Song was one of 77 applicants for the vacant Cameroon national team job. He assumed the role on a caretaker basis later in the year. On 17 October 2018, FECAFOOT announced that Song would take control of the Cameroon under-23 team for the 2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations campaign. On 28 February 2022, it was announced that Song had replaced Toni Conceição as the manager of the Cameroon national team. He guided Cameroon to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, after beating Algeria in the final hurdle. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, his Cameroon team failed to progress from the group stage, despite guiding Cameroon to their first World Cup victory since 2002 against the mighty Brazil, with a shock 1–0 win. On 29 February 2024, he was dismissed from the job, following Cameroon's poor performance in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations. He became the Central African Republic national football team manager on 14 January 2025 ahead of the 2024…

Rigobert Song Bahanag was born on 1 July 1976 in Nkenglikok, Nyong-et-Kéllé.