Many a people will quickly describe Cameroon International Sébastien Bassong as a skilled footballer and Indomitable Lions striker.

Sebastien Bassong
Photo: © Getty

Many a people will quickly describe Cameroon International Sébastien Bassong as a skilled footballer and Indomitable Lions striker. But the captain of the English Premier League club of Norwich recently went beyond his football career revealing a great responsibility for his extended family in Cameroon and his Christian life in the popular TV programme “Jeremy Kyle show.” Excerpts of the interview: About his religion: “I believe in God and read the Bible every day,” Bassong says. “There are some days when your faith goes down a little bit, for whatever reason, but it’s always there. It’s a big part of my life. Football is a different world. The way I see football … there is loads of fake. You’re not living in the real life. For me, the real life will start when I stop playing football. “This is my life for now, God gave me this life and I’m enjoying it and taking it with two hands but I’m trying not to be the typical player, who people will judge and assume is stupid, worried about his cars and his look. I’m trying to fight this stereotype for myself, because I don’t want to be seen like that. I want to be seen like a normal guy. I’m just kicking a ball and making people happy, which is great. I’m not saving lives.” About his family “I’m from a really poor family in Cameroon, so for them it’s a blessing to have someone who can bring a bit of sunshine to the family to get them out of where they are. So I’m working for myself and my close family but also people in Cameroon, because if I’m not doing it, who’s going to do it? God gave me the chance to be able to play a sport that generates money. If at a certain stage I’ve got to share it, then it’s a blessing for us. I enjoy giving. But pressure comes with it. “Sometimes when you see an African player who is getting a move for money, people will hammer him. But me, as an African boy, I totally understand because when he is going back home, the African mentality is totally different than in Europe. Here, most of the players will look after their mum and dad, maybe brothers or sisters. Us … my family is huge. When I go back to Cameroon, I’m looking after hundreds and hundreds of people who rely on me in terms of everything. I don’t want to disappoint them.” Bassong says he would like to stay involved in football when his playing career ends but he has ruled out management on the basis that it is “too stressful”. He breaks into laughter when asked about the possibility of being in a dugout alongside Assou-Ekotto. “I don’t see Benni being a manager,” Bassong says, smiling. About Jeremy Kyle Show: “It makes me smile, ”Bassong says. “Even if they get paid, I don’t understand how people can throw their life out in front of everyone. “I’ve even recorded it once or twice, so that I can put it on when I’m in a bad mood and need to laugh.”