Eduardo Camavinga, a French footballer born in Angola, also holds Congolese citizenship through his ancestry.
Born on November 10, 2002, in Miconge, Cabinda (Angola), he currently plays for Real Madrid Club de Fútbol in midfield, donning the number 25 jersey.
Born in a refugee camp: starting from the very beginning.
Born in a refugee camp, Camavinga came into the world to an Angolan-Congolese father and a Congolese mother who fled the civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
In 2003, the family relocated to France, first settling in Lille before moving to Fougères, where he spent his formative years.
Sport became his passion early on, as he took up judo alongside soccer, following the guidance of his mentors to join Drapeau-Fougére, his father’s former team, in 2009. Excelling in both defense and attack, Camavinga made his mark on the field.
At the tender age of 10, tragedy struck when his home was destroyed in a fire, resulting in the loss of all his possessions.
However, with the support of their neighbors, the family found solace in a new home, receiving assistance with clothing, furniture, and other necessities.
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Club Career
It all began at Stade Rennais
In 2018, Camavinga joined Stade Rennais F.C.’s second team in Rennes, France. He made his debut for the French club on April 6, 2019, against Angers Sporting Club Ouest.
In this game, he became the youngest player ever to debut for the team in an official match and the youngest in French tournaments, surpassing Kylian Mbappé.
During the 2019-2020 season, he played 36 matches, provided two assists, scored his first goal, and won the French Cup.
In the following season, 2020-2021, he played 39 games for the team, scoring his second goal and providing three assists.
Camavinga’s Journey to Real Madrid
On August 31, 2021, the white club officially announced their signing for six seasons, marking the end of the summer transfer market.
Initially joining as a reserve player, his role quickly shifted to become a key member of the first team.
His debut at the Santiago Bernabeu came on September 12, 2021, against Celta Vigo, where he entered the match as a substitute for Eden Hazard.
In the 72nd minute, he scored his first goal, making him the fourth youngest scorer in the club’s history, behind Alberto Rivera, Manolo Sanchís, and Rodrygo Goes.
Shortly after, he made his Champions League debut on the first matchday against Inter Milan, where he replaced Modric and provided an assist for Rodrygo’s goal, securing a victory for the team.
On May 9, 2023, during the Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City, he assisted Vinícius Júnior to take the lead, becoming the youngest player in the competition’s semi-finals to do so at the age of 20 years and 180 days.
On November 7, 2023, Real Madrid announced the extension of Camavinga’s contract, keeping him at the club until June 30, 2029.
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International Career
French National Team
Camavinga acquired French citizenship on October 31, 2019, and was promptly selected for France’s under-21 team.
His senior team debut came on September 8, 2020, making him the youngest player ever to represent France.
He netted his first international goal on October 7, 2020. Despite being initially named to France’s squad for the 2021 Summer Olympics, he was ultimately removed due to objections from his club, Rennes.
He was also included in France’s squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Camavinga’s Achievements and Awards
Real Madrid Achievements:
- La Liga: Won in 2021–22
- Copa del Rey: Won in 2022–23
- Supercopa de España: Won in 2021–22 and 2023–24
- UEFA Champions League: Won in 2021–22
- UEFA Super Cup: Won in 2022
- FIFA Club World Cup: Won in 2022
France Achievements:
- FIFA World Cup: Runner-up in 2022
Individual Achievements:
- UNFP Ligue 1 Player of the Month: August 2019
- Kopa Trophy: Runner-up in 2022
- IFFHS Men’s Youth (U20) World Team: Included in 2020, 2021, and 2022 teams
This blog post was written with information sourced from the following: