Known affectionately as “Riq,” Tariq Lamptey was born into a Ghanaian family at the turn of the millennium in 2000—a year marked by the anticipation of technological changes that never quite materialized. From a young age, Tariq was drawn to football, a passion that set him apart from other sports. His family’s admiration for Michael Essien, a footballer of Ghanaian heritage like themselves, inspired Tariq to follow in his footsteps.
Rising through the academy ranks with the same determination that fueled his role model, Tariq quickly made a name for himself. Today, he, who enjoys his football at Brighton, stands out as one of the brightest talents from Stamford Bridge, known for his lightning pace and skill on the wing. Now, let’s dive into the heart of Tariq Lamptey’s story.
Preamble:
Our biography of Tariq Lamptey delves deeper than just his career highlights. It explores his childhood, early life, family background, including details about his father, Ahmed Lamptey, his love life, lifestyle, and personal experiences.
In essence, this is a comprehensive look at the English professional footballer’s life. We start from Tariq’s early days and follow his journey to fame. To give you a glimpse of his story, we present the “Grass to Grace” gallery—a concise overview of Tariq Lamptey’s biography. This Ghanaian footballer has truly come a long way in his remarkable career.
Indeed, Tariq Lamptey wowed fans with his speed and fearless play during his Chelsea senior debut under Frank Lampard‘s management.
However, his path to the first team was later blocked by the rise of Reece James, a standout player who overshadowed him.
Despite the acclaim, many soccer fans haven’t yet explored our detailed version of Tariq Lamptey’s story, which offers an intriguing perspective. So, without further delay, let’s dive in.
Tariq Lamptey Childhood Story:
To kick off this biography, let’s start with his nickname: “Riq.” Tariq Kwame Nii-Lante Lamptey was born on September 30, 2000, in Hillingdon, London.
Born at the dawn of the new millennium, Tariq arrived in a year that was anticipated to bring major technological disruptions, but none of those predictions came true. There was no Y2K bug, airplanes stayed in the sky, and missiles didn’t accidentally launch.
Tariq’s roots trace back to Northern Ghana, where his family originates. The name “Tariq” is an Arabic Muslim name meaning “Morning Star,” reflecting his family’s Islamic heritage. He is the second child and only son of his parents, who are proudly captured in the family photos.
Tariq didn’t come from a wealthy or rich family background. His dad and mum were like most average working-class people in Greater London, who used their average wages to keep their family up and running. Tariq Lamptey’s Parents had all males and zero females in their family.
The footballer, who happens to be the breadwinner of his family, grew up alongside his brothers (one elder brother and two kid brothers).
Pictured below, his look-alike siblings all spent their early years in the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Tariq Lamptey Biography – Career Buildup and Education:
In 2003, Chelsea FC became a family-friendly favourite, thanks to Roman Abramovich, who took over and revitalized the club in June of that year.
At the time, Tariq Lamptey was just three years old. As Chelsea underwent its transformation, many families, including Tariq’s, rallied behind the club.
His family lived conveniently close to Stamford Bridge, making it easy for them to support Chelsea FC.
Did you know? Tariq’s family resided in the London Borough of Hillingdon, which was only a 45-minute drive from Stamford Bridge.
Did you know… Tariq Lamptey’s family home in Hillingdon was just a 45-minute drive to Stamford Bridge.
As Tariq grew a bit older, he fancied football other than any sporting activity. Back then, every member of his family cheered Michael Essien – a player from a similar Ghanian family origin to theirs.
Tariq Lamptey’s love for the game further steered his interest to get a football education from the prestigious Chelsea FC academy.
Surely, his quest to become an academy player wasn’t a passing fantasy. The joy of Tariq Lamptey’s parents knew no bounds at the time they admitted their son into the famed London academy.
Tariq Lamptey Biography – Early Career Life:
Tariq Lamptey’s journey to becoming a professional footballer began in 2008 when, at the age of eight, he joined Chelsea FC’s youth academy—a dream come true for many young football enthusiasts, including Lewis Hall, who also joined at that age.
Enrolling in the academy required Tariq to make significant sacrifices. He missed out on birthday parties and other family events, but he remained focused on what he loved most: playing football.
Unlike many of his peers who had to live with host families due to the distance from home, Tariq was fortunate. The Chelsea FC Academy in Cobham was only a 30-minute drive from his family home in Hillingdon, making his journey much easier.
Early on, Tariq Lamptey’s parents shuffled between getting him to Cobham every day, including providing him with all the support needed to excel as a young footballer.
Tariq grew through the academy ranks following examples set by Michael Essien, his role model. It didn’t take long for him to make an impression in the club.
Road to Fame Story:
As anticipated, Tariq quickly advanced through the academy ranks, impressing with his performance against even older opponents.
As he approached his teenage years, his ambition to join Chelsea’s senior team grew stronger. Tariq understood that achieving success required not only technical skill but also a bit of luck. His standout attribute—blistering pace—became his key asset and set him apart.
The Turning Point: The turning point in Tariq Lamptey’s youth career came in the 2016/2017 season. It was the season he bagged his first trophy.
That season saw the youngster helping his team win their memorable U18 Premier League trophy alongside notables like Marc Guehi (CB), Conor Gallagher (CM), and Reece James.
Further success continued in the 2017/2018 season, which saw the young lad adding more trophies to his cabinet.
That season, Lamptey contributed 11 assists from right-back as Jody Morris’ side secured an unprecedented quadruple (four trophies in a season).
The only trophy he missed was the 2018–19 UEFA Youth League finals – which he lost to Arsenal’s Fabio Vieira‘s Porto side.
Pictured below is the youngster as he poses with his achievements of the 2017/2018 season.
Tariq Lamptey Biography Facts – Rise to Fame:
As noted earlier, Lamptey went above and beyond to earn recognition, praise, and accolades, amassing a collection of trophies along the way.
His dedication paid off when Chelsea FC offered him the chance to sign his first professional contract. This milestone was a moment of great joy for Tariq Lamptey’s family, who were there to witness the event.
I’m proud to have signed my first professional contract with chelsea fc. I just want to thank my family for their support and God for all his guidance.
Tariq Lamptey shared his excitement on Instagram after signing his new contract. Following this achievement, he was promoted to Chelsea’s senior youth team, where he continued to prove his value.
Determined to secure a spot in the Chelsea senior squad or attract interest from other clubs, Tariq kept honing his skills and showcasing his talent.
The Unforgettable Debut: That much-awaited moment finally came at the close of 2019. Here goes the story: Cesar Azpilicueta had a small injury, and Lamptey’s closest rival to his position (Reece James) was also injured.
There was an increasing tendency for Frank Lampard to seek out anything that would offer a glimmer of hope at right-back. The Chelsea legend believed in Tariq Lamptey and trusted he would do the job.
Losing 1-0 and looking for hope, Lamptey duly delivered at the time Chelsea needed a spark against it’s rival Arsenal.
The 5’4” right-back became the catalyst that injected pace and impetus into the team, claiming his debut, which began with a derby win.
Without a doubt, football fans are on the verge of seeing another Dani Alves blossoming his way into a world-class talent right in front of our very eyes.
Tariq Lamptey is indeed one of the best among the endless Stamford Bridge production line of lightning-paced wing-half. And from a Ghanaian point of view, he joins the likes of Antoine Semenyo as one of the country’s fast-rising footballers.
The rest, as they say, is history for the Ghanaian footballer whose career was reinvented at Brighton & Hove Albion.
Love Life:
As Tariq Lamptey rose to fame with his senior team debut, many fans likely wondered if he has a girlfriend.
Given his charming appearance and impressive style of play, it’s no surprise that he might be a top choice for many potential partners.
After hours of searching, we’ve come to two conclusions. Firstly, it seems that Tariq Lamptey has chosen not to disclose information about his girlfriend publicly.
Secondly, he might be single at the moment, although there’s also a possibility he could be married but keeping it private.
While some young players, like Ismaila Sarr, have gotten married at a similar age, Tariq Lamptey doesn’t appear to be following in the footsteps of the notorious heartthrob Phil Foden.
Personal Life:
Getting to know Tariq Lamptey’s Personal Life facts away from the field of play would help you get a better picture of his personality.
Starting off, he is someone who would put up a cute smile in all situations. By implication, Tariq is a peacemaker who is gentle at heart and ready to do nearly anything to avoid conflict. He is an organized lad who applies a methodical approach to his life.
Having a height of 1.70 meters implies he is short. However, Tariq Lamptey believes what he lacks in height is compensated with immense technical abilities.
Away from the pitch, he draws inspiration from Callum Hudson-Odoi, his fellow British-Ghanian brother who is like family to him.
Also, on his personal life, Lamptey is someone whom you probably didn’t know is a good gamer. Away from football, the footballer loves to lose a few hours to his PlayStation (PS4), probably playing FIFA or Call of Duty (COD). Find below a photo of the lad exercising his hobby.
Tariq Lamptey Family Life:
In this section, we will provide more information about Tariq Lamptey’s family, starting with his father.
Tariq Lamptey’s Father:
Ahmed Lamptey was the man who became the proudest dad on the 29 December 2019- the day his son made his professional debut.
According to Ghanaweb, sharp-looking Ahmed Lamptey is a football agent who handles the interests of his son’s career.
At the time of writing, Tariq Lamptey’s dad, Ahmed, is still open on whether his son should represent Ghana or hold on with England.
If he chooses Ghana, then he would get Ghanaian citizenship through his parents. According to GhanaWeb, Lamptey’s father loves travelling to Ghana.
Tariq Lamptey’s Mother:
Great mothers have produced great sons, and Tariq Lamptey’s mum isn’t an exception.
The footballer credits his success to the upbringing his mother gave him. Lamptey’s mum is proud to have so far successfully performed motherly duties to her soldiers.
About Tariq Lamptey’s Siblings:
Lamptey, at the time of writing, is said to be the family’s breadwinner among his three brothers, whose names are unknown.
Most likely, one of his brothers would want to follow in his footsteps. Tariq is certainly a good role model to his brothers and would be ready to share everything he knows with them.
Lifestyle:
Thanks to a proper upbringing by his parents, the Financial aspect of Lamptey’s life is often under control. Despite his annual salaries and weekly wages set to rise in the future, it is possible the young footballer won’t change his lifestyle.
Tariq does not presently live a lifestyle that is easily noticeable by exotic cars, big mansions, etc.
A healthy balance between the act of saving and spending is assured. Even while he goes to Dubai for holidays, Lamptey rarely lets his desire to spend get the best of him. Pictured below, his dress speaks so well of his humble lifestyle.
Untold Facts:
His Parents had close ties with former Chelsea (Technical Director):
According to MirrorOnline, Tariq Lamptey’s parents once had deep connections within the Chelsea FC management.
Did you know?… His family is very close to Michael Emenalo, Chelsea’s former assistant manager.
Michael Emenalo became the Chelsea football technical director from 2011 until 2017, when he resigned. The powerful man is also close to Lampard.
Did you also know?… Michael Emenalo has an interest in seeing Tariq Lamptey at AS Monaco, where he works as a football director. This is the reason why Chelsea is very much interested in reopening negotiations with Lamptey after his impressive debut.
THE EXPERIENCE OF CHELSEA FIRST TEAM:
Tariq Lamptey shared his experience with ChelseaTV about being called to play in the Chelsea first team. In his words,
“My heart was racing like never before. Frank [Lampard] said to me- just be yourself, go to play your normal game, go out and enjoy it. I was out here, I wasn’t afraid of anything. I played my natural game, and everything went well.
It’s an unbelievable experience and an amazing feeling to have. It was the moment me and my family waited for since I joined the club at the age of 8. I can’t even put it into words. I’m still buzzing.”
He is the Seventh Academy Player to excel under Lampard:
Did you know?… Tariq Lamptey became the seventh Chelsea Academy graduate to make a major first-team appearance under Frank Lampard. He followed in the footsteps of Fikayo Tomori (CB), Reece James (RB), Mason Mount (AM), and Billy Gilmour.
Tattoos:
In modern-day football, tattoo culture is very popular as it is often used to portray one’s religion or the people they love. Tariq Lamptey, at the time of writing, is tattoo-free. He has no inks in his upper and lower body.
Tariq Lamptey Religion?
Tariq Lamptey’s parents raised him to adopt the Muslim religion. Although, there is currently a non-existence of photo proofs showing Tariq practising his religion.
Conclusion:
Along with Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Jota, Tariq Lamptey is the best Premier League Signing of 2020.
Lamptey’s Biography teaches us that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Tariq saw that light with Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club.
Thanks for reading our Tariq Lamptey Childhood Biography Facts. We strive for accuracy and fairness. Kindly stay tuned for more Ghanaian Football Stories. The Life stories of Mohammed Salisu and Daniel Amartey will excite you.
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