Rising Defensive Midfielder Carlos Baleba has a story that is rooted in a foundation of resilience and determination set by his family long before football entered the picture. Growing up in a home where sports were embraced as a way of life, he took to his father Eugene’s example—pushing boundaries, striving for more, and never settling for anything less than his best. It’s true that many African football stories come from humble beginnings, and Carlos’s story is no different, embodying a true rise from grassroots to greatness.
Inside the Life of Carlos Baleba: How Family, Grit, and Passion Shaped a Rising Star
Eugene Baleba was a special kind of Dad. His “training sessions” weren’t the usual kickarounds but intense drills, including long-distance runs and carrying heavy loads, which were meant for Carlos and his brother Bediang. Despite those who questioned the demands placed on him, Carlos embraced these challenges, understanding that they were part of a bigger dream.
Just when he was beginning to see the rewards of his dedication on the field, life dealt him a heartbreaking blow. His mother, his greatest support and guiding light, passed away after a brief illness. This loss deeply affected Carlos, casting a shadow over what should have been a time of celebration. Yet, through the grief, the footballer found a renewed strength to honour her memory, pushing forward in his career with a resilience that speaks to the depth of his character and the legacy of his family’s support.
Preamble:
This article dives into the world of Carlos Baleba, sharing insights about his family, including his father, Eugene Baleba, his late mother, his brother Bediang Baleba, and the cultural roots that shaped him. It’s a story tracing Carlos’s path from a young boy with big dreams to a rising star on the global stage. From humble beginnings to impressive accomplishments, the journey of Eugene Baleba’s son is truly remarkable.
From Humble Beginnings to Stardom: The Inspiring Journey of Carlos Baleba and the Family That Shaped Him. Image: Facebook, LOSC, Instagram@carlos_baleba
Childhood Story:
For beginners in biography, he goes by the nickname Patrick Vieira. Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba was born on the 3rd of January 2004 to his parents- Eugene Baleba and his mother, Mrs Baleba, in Cameroon.
The Premier League star is the family’s first son with a younger brother, Bediang Baleba. We will take you through the growth of the midfielder in his career despite challenges. First, here are Carlos Baleba’s parents are in the photo.
Meet Carlos Baleba’s parents- his father, Eugene and his mother, Mrs Baleba. Image: X@lataniere237
Growing-Up Years:
Carlos Baleba had an interesting childhood. The midfield anchor grew up in a neighbourhood called Akwa. He used to kick empty cans around in the streets, dreaming of being like his dad, Eugene Balepa. His father was a footballer, and although his career didn’t last long, he was a big inspiration to his children.
One of the earliest photos of the youngster in his prime. Image: LOSC
Euguene was very good in sports and even got a chance to try out for a team in France called Saint-Étienne. Sadly, his time there didn’t last long. Carlos Baleba’s brother, Bediang Baleba, also loves football. Both of them took all their training first-hand from their father in their home.
Without a doubt, Carlos’ dad taught him to work hard. In an interview, Carlos said his father made him do tough things like carrying heavy loads and running for a long time. People told his dad not to push his first child too much because he was still just a kid.
Carlos had favourite players he watched on TV when he was younger, especially midfielders like Paul Pogba (CM), Kevin De Bruyne (AM), and Thiago Alcântara. He would try to copy their moves. From a young age, the future star always dreamed of being a professional footballer, and he worked hard to make that dream come true because playing football is what he loves the most.
Can Spot Baleba amongst his friends in this image. Source: Facebook
Nonetheless, despite how good the lives ahead looked, sad news rocked his life. With all his hard work, when the midfielder was expected to enjoy the dividend of his labour, the most precious thing in his life was taken away. Carlos Baleba’s mother died after a brief illness, which made the athlete so sad and very downbroken.
Carlos Baleba Family Background:
Following in his family’s legacy, Carlos Baleba’s father was a footballer. Eugene was pretty good in the game, and he was allowed a trial session in France, in Saint-Étienne. However, his career never took off its early stage and ended permanently.
Nevertheless, Carlos Baleba’s father is not one to give up easily. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, Eugene went into amateur coaching. His sons were his first students before moving to head the Cameroon Breweries Football School as a trainer.
Carlos Baleba’s mother was a stay-at-home mom. Mrs Carlos kept her house and her family in order. As the boys and their father were focused on football, she was busy keeping their resting place conducive.
Family Origin:
Carlos Baleba is proud of his Central African heritage. Carlos Baleba shares his Cameroonian nationality with his parents, who were also born in the country. The nation shares boundaries with Nigeria, Chad, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.
Facts reveal that Carlos Baleba’s birthplace is in Douala. It is a big city by the coast in the southwest of Cameroon. It is next to the Wouri River. Close by is the Doual’art Gallery, where you can see art from Cameroon and other parts of Africa. The Douala Maritime Museum shows the history of the city, which was known for fishing and trading a long time ago. The Douala-Edéa Wildlife Reserve has animals like elephants and crocodiles outside the city.
Douala is the birthplace of the midfielder. Source: Google Maps
Did you know that Carlos Baleba’s hometown is just four hours away from André-Frank Zambo Anguissa‘s birthplace in Yaoundé, Cameroon?
Ethnicity:
Carlo Baleba belongs to the Bassa ethnic group. There are about 800,000 Bassa people. They speak a language called Basaa. Some people also call them Bassa-Bakongo.
Carlos Baleba Family Life:
The Albion midfielder mirrors what his father wanted to achieve during his time. Nonetheless, Euguene, armed with his best shots and mistakes, gave all his insight to his children. Having parents and a family solidly behind you in your endeavours is enough motivation for victory. So let’s get to know about them.
About Carlos Baleba’s Father:
Eugene had a thriving football career that went down the drain. Even though he was so good, he made it to the trial session in France. Left with the curtain closed during his playing period, Mr Baleba became a coach, focusing on his boys at first.
Carlos Baleba’s father is always by his side in his football journey. Image: X@lataniere237
But eventually was good enough to head a small football academy centre. Carlos Baleba’s father made him do tough things like carrying heavy loads and running for a long time to care for his son’s career. People told his dad not to push Carlos too much because he was still just a kid. But his first child went at his speed and didn’t give up.
It is similar to how Adam Idah’s grandfather encouraged him to join any sporting activity. Following his father’s instruction, Carlos built muscular core strength, making his stamina great on the pitch.
About Carlos Baleba’s Mother:
Mrs Baleba was the soothing balm to her child’s aching muscles after a hard training day. However, the ever-gentle-spirited woman must have been sorry for his troubles but knew in the long run how vital it was. And all she did was make sure there was enough warmth for her first son to recover from his aches quickly.
Here is Mrs Baleba before her untimely death. Image: Facebook
With many memories of her, we can imagine how the midfielder felt when she was no more. Carlos Baleba’s mother passed away after a brief illness, leaving behind her grieving sons and husband. It is the exact way Victor Boniface felt when he also lost his mom to the cold hands of death.
About Carlos Baleba’s Brother:
Bediang Baleba is the only sibling of the central midfielder. Interestingly, Carlos Baleba’s brother is a part of the family’s football legacy. From seeing his father train his older brother to join them in making a name in the game they love.
Bediang is the only brother of Carlos.Image: Instagram@lions_tracker
Carlos Baleba’s brother is at Saint James Park, the Stadium of English Premier League side Newcastle United. Two weeks ago, scouts from the club sought for him and considered him an excellent fit to join their youth teams. Bediang will soon make strides outside of Cameroon if trials go well, like his brother.
Carlos Baleba Early Football Career:
The rookie defensive midfielder began his journey at the Futur Soccer FC in his hometown of Douala. And then, in 2017 left the team to join the École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy centre at the age of 13. Carlos was spotted by scouts from the Academy in a tournament held by the Football School of the Brasseries of Cameroon. After seeing his performance, he was asked to join the institution.
The beginning phase of the footballer’s career with his team. Picture: LOSC
A year later, Carlos Baleba moved to a French team called Lille in January 2022. When the Cameroon player arrived at Lille, he joined with Leny Yoro. Both of them started by playing in the reserve team.
Even though Baleba was picked to be in the squad for many games at the end of the 2021–22 season, he didn’t play until the next season, 2022–23. Under a new coach, Paulo Fonseca, he finally played on the first team alongside Andre Gomes on the first of July 2022.
Ascent to the Premier League:
On the 29th of August, 2023, the defensive midfielder joined Brighton & Hove Albion with a five-year contract. The team paid €27 million for him, with an extra €3 million possible based on how well Carlos performs. There is also a rule that if Brighton sells him later, 15% of that money goes to his old team.
Baleba came in and took over the vacant position left by Moisés Caicedo as he went to Chelsea. Joao Pedro occupied the centre-forward post while Aaron Connolly moved to Hull City. Ansu Fati went for the left-wing spot, with Simon Adingra getting the right-wing part and Jack Hinshelwood being the right-back man.
The new Premier League player made his debut for Brighton on the 24th of September, 2023, when they won 3–1 against AFC Bournemouth. Carlos came into the game as a substitute in the 73rd minute. Under Fabian Hurzeler‘s command, Baleba scored his first goal for Brighton on the 18th of September 2024 in a 3–2 win against Wolves during the EFL Cup. Just a week later, on the 28th of September, he scored his first league goal in a 4–2 loss to Chelsea. The rest is history, they said.
Personality:
The Taurus zodiac sign footballer is a very competitive athlete. And his progress so far is a testament to his achievement. However, the game Carlos loves isn’t the only thing he engages in; his contract with Puma is also a part of his other life.
Carlos is very private and prefers keeping his loved ones away from the world’s scrutiny. Apart from the period he mourned his mother, the defensive midfielder loves to showcase his career more than any other part of his life.
For a Taurus, home and family are very important. That’s why Carlos Baleba’s brother is his closest companion. The duo enjoy following family traditions and participating in family events. Players like Aaron Ramsdale (GK), Ryan Sessegnon and Frenkie de Jong as Taurus also love to have house parties with friends and family.
Untold Facts:
We dive into other lesser-known details about Carlos Baleba’s biography that would excite you about the Cameroonian defensive midfielder.
Carlos Baleba’s Fifa Profile:
The Cameroon star is a strong and hardworking player who plays in the middle of the field. He is good at passing the ball to his teammates, whether they are close or far away. Similar to Adam Wharton, he enjoys above average ratings in the movement, power and defending departments. Carlos can also dribble well and stop the other team from scoring by tackling and taking the ball from them. Baleba runs a lot during the game, helping his team’s defence and attack.
Carlos is highly rated by Sofifa.
This makes him very important because he plays all over the field to help his team. You say the defensive maestro can be called a box-to-box midfielder like William Carvalho (DM), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (CM), Frank Anguissa (CM), Daichi Kamada (AM), and Rodrigo Bentancur. We know this African is climbing the stairs of the game to the top.
Carlos Baleba’s Religion:
Cameroon has a mix of religions. The most widely practised are Christianity and Islam, with Christianity being more common in the southern and western regions. However, since the midfielder has not declared his faith publicly, we can say Carlos Baleba is Christian.
End Note:
Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba was born on the 3rd of January 2004 to his parents- Eugene Baleba and his mother, Mrs Maleba, in Cameroon.
The Premier League star is the family’s first son with a younger brother, Bediang Baleba. Carlos Baleba had an interesting childhood. The midfield anchor grew up in a neighbourhood called Akwa. He used to kick empty cans around in the streets, dreaming of being like his dad, Eugene Balepa. Eugene was a footballer, and although his career didn’t last long, he was a big inspiration to his children.
Euguene Baleba, Carlos’ dad, trained him and took care of him. Carlos started playing football at a club called Futur Soccer FC in Douala, where he first played as a right winger. But he stopped playing for a while because of a small injury. After he healed, he played in local clubs in Douala, including Bépanda and Grand Moulin, where he played as a number 10 or attacking midfielder.
The rookie defensive midfielder began his journey at the Futur Soccer FC in his hometown of Douala. And then, in 2017 left the team to join the École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy centre at the age of 13. Carlos was spotted by scouts from the Academy in a tournament held by the Football School of the Brasseries of Cameroon. After seeing his performance, he was asked to join the institution.
On the 29th of August, 2023, the defensive midfield joined Georginio Rutter‘s Brighton & Hove Albion with a five-year contract. The team paid €27 million for him, with an extra €3 million possible based on how well Carlos performs. There is also a rule that if Brighton sells him later, 15% of that money goes to his old team.
The new Premier League player made his debut for Brighton on the 24th of September, 2023, when they won 3–1 against AFC Bournemouth. Carlos came into the game as a substitute in the 73rd minute. His rapid rise in English football has caught the eye of top Premier League managers, with Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and Arne Slot at Liverpool both showing strong interest in bringing him on board and preparing to compete for his transfer.
Thank You!!!
We appreciate that you read our version of Carlos Baleba’s biography. Our aim is to satisfy your curiosity about your favourite footballer. We also know the life stories of Martín Zubimendi and Aleksandar Pavlovic would also capture your interest.
