Biography
Who is Roger Milla?
Early life and real name
Albert Roger Milla Miller was born in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on May 20, 1952. Due to a clerical error on his birth certificate and passport, his surname was recorded as Miller instead of Milla, which was the family name his parents intended to give him. He grew up in a middle-class family and spent his childhood moving across the country because his father worked on the railroads.
Club career
Roger began playing for the junior team of Éclair de Douala at age 13 and made his senior team debut in the second division at age 15. At age 17, he became the Cameroonian schools high jump champion. He joined the top division club Léopard Douala in 1970, where he won three championship titles and scored 89 goals in 116 appearances over four seasons. He then transferred to Tonnerre Yaoundé, winning the African Cup Winners' Cup and scoring 69 goals in 87 games.
International career and World Cup fame
Roger earned 77 caps for the national team of Cameroon and scored 43 goals. He made his first appearance in 1973 during a World Cup qualifier against Zaire and played an instrumental role in helping his country qualify for the 1982 FIFA World Cup. He also competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics and helped Cameroon win their first continental title at the 1984 African Cup of Nations by defeating Nigeria in the final.
Awards and personal life
Throughout his career, Roger received numerous prestigious accolades for his athletic achievements. In 2004, Pelé named him in the FIFA 100 list of the world's greatest living players. The Confederation of African Football named him the best African player of the previous 50 years in 2007. He was also honored as a Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Birthday and age
Roger Milla was born on May 20, 1952, which makes Roger 74 years old today. That birthday falls under the Taurus sign. Roger shares the date with 62 other famous people.
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