Athletic legend Emmanuel Adebayor discusses sports facilities, post-career impact, and guidance for upcoming athletes
Emmanuel Adebayor's After-Football Journey: Gaming Beyond the Pitch
Football star Emmanuel Adebayor, renowned for his match-winning goals, took a different kind of victory lap at the Africa Gaming Expo (AGE Lagos 2025). The cheering didn't come from goals scored on the pitch, but for his transformative journey beyond the game. In an exclusive interview with iGaming AFRIKA, Adebayor laid out a blueprint for life after sports, a vision for infrastructure development, and financial advisory advice for the up-and-coming athletes.
With a sparkle in his eye, the former international footballer accepted the Gaming Influencer Award of the Year at AGE Lagos 2025, presented by Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Governor of Lagos State. This recognition marked Adebayor's growing influence in the digital gaming and betting space, an industry he joined just three years ago. "And for me, as I said, this gambling thing, I became ambassador two/three years ago. Three years later, me being named as the Best Influencer of the Year, it's beautiful. I'm really, really happy, and I'm honored," Adebayor stated.
Now, Adebayor is focused on what lies behind the doors opened by his football career. One of his most powerful messages was the urgent need for infrastructure development to empower African youth and athletes. He urged private companies to collaborate with governments to "see the bigger picture" in fostering African sports ecosystems. "It would be very bad for them to just take money and go," Adebayor commented, emphasizing the profit-making companies operating in Africa.
"So, I’m betting all these betting companies to find a way with the government in each respectful country to help develop the infrastructure. We’re talking about football academy, football pitch, health center, it is all part of the infrastructure. So I think those are the problems we have to tackle now. So we can make the sports company better."
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Retirement from professional football might be a crisis for many athletes, but Adebayor turned it into an opportunity. Today, he manages various endeavors that include real estate, digital media, and charity operations backed by a team of over 100 individuals. For Adebayor, gaming is not a departure from sports; it's an extension, where digital media, engagement, and influence create new avenues for both fans and athletes.
In line with this year's conference's theme, Adebayor underscored his strategic use of artificial intelligence and technology to maintain a dynamic, scalable presence in the digital economy. "So, for me, I think artificial intelligence helps a lot," he admitted. "We use it a lot. Obviously, because of all my interviews, we got it together and see in which way AI can help communicate with my fans or with my audience. And that's what we're doing. And sometimes I can ask artificial intelligence, okay, this is what I want to do. This is how much I have. How can I use it to make it purpose? And obviously, they give me an idea, and I output my ideology into it, and we’re getting it right."
With an honesty that many athletes lack, Adebayor spoke candidly about his past extravagances and financial mishaps. “When I was young, I was buying watches, cars, diamond chains. The money was there, and the head was gone,” he admitted. “But I learned to divide my salary, one part for fun, one for property, one for saving.” Today, Adebayor owns a real estate business, is involved in various ambassadorial roles, and has a foundation that reflects his dedication to giving back. His advice to younger athletes remains clear: build while you earn.
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- Emmanuel Adebayor's journey beyond football has led him to the gaming industry, where he serves as an influencer and investor.
- Infrastructure development, specifically for football academies and health centers, is a priority for Adebayor, who is urging betting companies to collaborate with governments.
- Adebayor, in an exclusive interview, shared his strategic use of technology and artificial intelligence to maintain a dynamic presence in the digital economy.
- Despite past financial mishaps, Adebayor emphasized the importance of budgeting and investing, owning a real estate business, being an ambassador, and having a foundation that gives back.
- The former international footballer was honored as the Gaming Influencer Award of the Year at AGE Lagos 2025, marking his growing influence in the digital gaming and betting space.
- Adebayor's after-football journey encompasses various endeavors, including real estate, digital media, and charity operations, with over 100 individuals on his team.
