- Roger Milla
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While playing in France, he made his first appearance for the Cameroon national team (in 1978). He was a member of Cameroon's team at the
1982 FIFA World Cup , having a goal disallowed against Peru in their first match. Cameroon went out with three draws from their three first-round games. Two years later, he was part of the squad competing at the1984 Summer Olympics inLos Angeles, California . He first retired from international football in 1987, and eventually moved toRéunion in theIndian Ocean for his retirement.However, in 1990, he received a phone call from the President of Cameroon
Paul Biya , who pleaded with him to come out of retirement and rejoin the national team. He agreed, and went toItaly with the "Indomitable Lions" for the 1990 World Cup.1990 World Cup
38-year old Milla emerged as one of the tournament's major stars. He scored four goals in Italy, celebrating each one with a dance around the corner post that has become a popular
goal celebration ever since. Two of his goals came against Romania in Cameroon's second game, and two more came in extra time against Colombia in the last 16 to carry Cameroon to the quarter-finals – the furthest an African team has ever advanced at the World Cup (Senegal matched this feat in 2002). In the quarter-final match against England, Milla confirmed his super-sub legend, entering in the second half with Cameroon trailing 1-0 and setting up a brilliant goal and drawing a penalty shot to give Cameroon the lead before eventually losing.1994 World Cup
Milla returned to the
1994 FIFA World Cup at the age of 42, being the oldest player ever to appear in a World Cup. Cameroon were knocked out in the group stages; however, Milla scored a goal against Russia, setting a record as the oldest goalscorer in a World Cup tournament.Post-playing career
He is now an itinerant ambassador for African causes. In 2004, he was named to the
FIFA 100 , a list of the 125 greatest living footballers selected byPelé in conjunction withFIFA 's centenary celebrations.Best African Player of the Last Fifty Years
In 2006, Milla was chosen for best African player of the last fifty years, ending up before El Khatib and Hassan. The election was held by the CAF, the African football association.
References
* [http://www.weltfussball.de/spieler_profil.php?id=1784 Weltfußball]
* [http://www.soccernetusa.com/roger_milla.htm Worldwide soccer information]
* [http://www.clubgh.com/showart.asp?cat=6&art=1213 Best African Player in The Past Fifty Years]
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