The football family was again stroke by the death of another former footballer on Saturday night. Former Indomitable Lions midfielder Modest Mbami was announced dead in France. The player who broke to the limelight aged 17 at the 2000 Sydney Olympics after scoring a memorable goal against Brazil to propel Cameroon into the semi finals, became a world favorite. Gianni Infantino who served as UEFA's Secretary General and now FIFA's President is one of Mbami's admirers.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed regret after former Cameroon international Modeste Mbami died of cardiac arrest on Saturday at the age of 40 in Paris, France.
In a message posted on Instagram hours after Mbami's death was confirmed, the FIFA president shared a photo of the versatile midfielder with the caption "Sad news, RIP Modeste Mbami.
An astute and powerful player at his peak, Modeste Mbami spent most of his career in France with Sedan, PSG, where he won two French Cups, and Marseille, before moving to Spain, Almeria, China, Saudi Arabia and Colombia.
The 6'4" player will be remembered for his spectacular goal in the quarterfinals against Brazil at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in Australia. Subsequently, Cameroon beat Spain in the final and won gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in Australia.
Mbami, who died at the age of 40, was also part of the Cameroonian team that played in the final of the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup in France. A tournament that was overshadowed by the death of Cameroonian midfielder Marc Vivien Foe, who suffered heart problems during the semi-final against Colombia in Lyon.
