‘I haven’t seen my kids in years, lost everything’ — Ivory Coast defender details financial ruin after divorce
The former Arsenal and Ivory Coast defender, Emmanuel Eboue, has disclosed that he has been unable to communicate with or see his three children for years following his difficult divorce from ex-wife Aurélie Bertrand.
Speaking during a recent appearance on The Fifth House Podcast, the 42-year-old ex-right back revealed that he has completely lost contact with his daughters, Clara and Maeva, and his son, Mathis, since the separation.
“Yes, it’s my prayer every day. I pray for my kids… God, please, one day I want to see my kids,” Eboué said.
He explained that although he has had chances to travel to England, he has chosen to remain in his home country, holding on to hope that he will one day reunite with them.
“I don’t want to go to England. I prefer to stay in my country… but I always pray for them,” he added.
Eboué also disclosed that he does not have any recent photos of his children, noting that the ones he possesses date back to when they were much younger.
“The ones I have are old, when they were kids,” he said.
Recalling a recent emotional experience, the former Galatasaray defender said he attempted to reach his daughter on her birthday but received no response.
“I send them messages… they read, but they don’t answer. Last month was Eva’s birthday. I called, it was ringing, she didn’t answer. I sent a message, she read, but didn’t reply,” he said.
He also expressed sadness over missing a significant moment in his son Mathis’ life, after the 17-year-old secured a move to Chelsea FC earlier this year.
“I feel very sad because when he [Mathis Eboué] signed for Chelsea I wasn’t there. The mom didn’t call me. I’ve not had contact with him for almost five years. I want to be closer to my son to help him,” he said.
“These things, when I’m talking about that, it is paining me a lot because he is my son. When I was with him, I taught him how to play football. I’m very happy for him, but inside my body, I’m crying because I want to be closer to my son to help him.”
Eboué and Bertrand got married in October 2004, but their union ended in a widely publicised divorce in 2017. The court ruling granted Bertrand most of Eboué’s assets, including his finances, properties in England, and cars, alongside full custody of their three children.
Reflecting on the aftermath, the former footballer spoke about the heavy financial losses he suffered.
“I lost so much. I don’t want to say exactly how much, but it was a lot. I lost everything I had in England. I had bought houses—three of them—and I lost them. I had many cars, and I lost those too,” Eboue said.
He is now married to his former fiancée, Stephanie Boedé, whom he reunited with years after leaving for Europe during his early football career.