Carlos Kameni facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Carlos Kameni

Kameni playing for Cameroon in 2009
Personal information
Date of birth	(1984-02-18) 18 February 1984 (age 41)
Place of birth	Douala, Cameroon
Height	1.84 m
Playing position	Goalkeeper
Youth career
1995–2000	Kadji Sports
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2000–2004	Le Havre	2	(0)
2002–2003	→ Saint-Étienne (loan)	0	(0)
2004–2012	Espanyol	222	(0)
2012–2017	Málaga	113	(0)
2017–2019	Fenerbahçe	9	(0)
2021–2022	Arta/Solar7	20	(0)
2022–2023	Santa Coloma	7	(0)
2023–2024	Antequera	4	(0)
National team
1999	Cameroon U20	3	(0)
2000	Cameroon U23	3	(0)
2001–2019	Cameroon	71	(0)
Honours Representing  Cameroon Men's Football Gold 2000 Sydney Team Competition
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 12:45, 6 March 2024 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals).

Idriss Carlos Kameni (born 18 February 1984) is a professional footballer from Cameroon. He plays as a goalkeeper.

Carlos Kameni spent most of his career in Spain. He played for Espanyol for eight seasons in La Liga, playing 229 official games. He also played professionally in France and Turkey.

Before he turned 20, Kameni became a player for the Cameroon national team. He played for his country in two World Cups and six Africa Cup of Nations tournaments.

Club Career Highlights

Starting in France

Carlos Kameni was born in Douala, Cameroon. When he was 16, he made history. He became the youngest footballer to win an Olympic gold medal in 2000. This amazing achievement led him to join the French club Le Havre AC.

However, he didn't play much for the first team there. He was also loaned to AS Saint-Étienne but didn't get to play in any games. In 2001, there were talks about him moving to Juventus FC, a famous Italian club, but it didn't happen. Kameni also almost joined Wolverhampton Wanderers in England for a season. But the deal fell through because he couldn't get a work permit for the United Kingdom.

Time at Espanyol

In July 2004, when he was 20, Kameni signed with the Spanish team RCD Espanyol. He quickly became their main goalkeeper in his second year. He helped the team win the Copa del Rey in the 2005–06 season.

During the 2006–07 season, Kameni was the starting goalkeeper. He played a key role as Espanyol reached the final of the UEFA Cup. In 2006, the club took action against two fans for racist behavior towards him.

In the 2008–09 season, Espanyol had a tough time. Kameni played in 37 out of 38 league games. His strong performances were very important in helping his team stay in the top league. He also set a new club record. He went 498 minutes without letting in a goal, which was a long time!

Playing for Málaga

After two more seasons as a starter, Kameni moved to Málaga CF on 13 January 2012. He made his first league appearance for Málaga on 25 March. He came on as a substitute and helped his new team win 2–1 against his old team, Espanyol. He didn't let in any goals while he was on the field.

Kameni became Málaga's main goalkeeper after Willy Caballero left the club. On 26 September 2015, he had an incredible game against Real Madrid. Even though Real Madrid took 31 shots, Kameni kept a clean sheet (meaning he didn't let in any goals) in a 0–0 draw. He was named the best player of the match.

In the next game, he became the first goalkeeper for Málaga to provide an assist in the Spanish top league. He helped a teammate score a goal in a 3–1 win against Real Sociedad. On 2 March 2016, Kameni scored an unusual own goal in a 1–2 loss to Valencia CF.

On 19 November 2016, Kameni made many great saves against FC Barcelona. This helped Málaga get a 0–0 draw in that game.

Moving to Fenerbahçe

In July 2017, Kameni signed a three-year contract with the Turkish club Fenerbahçe SK. He played his first game in the Süper Lig on 17 September. Fenerbahçe won that away game 4–1 against Alanyaspor. Kameni left Fenerbahçe in August 2019.

Later Career Teams

In April 2021, at 37 years old, Kameni returned to football. He joined the Djiboutian club Arta/Solar7. In August 2022, he moved again to UE Santa Coloma in Andorra. Kameni then returned to Spain on 28 October 2023, signing with Primera Federación side Antequera CF. He left Antequera in January 2024.

International Career

Carlos Kameni started playing for the Cameroon national team when he was just 17 years old. His first game was a friendly match against South Korea.

He was part of the national team for the Africa Cup of Nations tournaments in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. He was the starting goalkeeper in most of these tournaments. He was also the first-choice goalkeeper when Cameroon finished second in the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup.

In 2002, Kameni was chosen for Cameroon's squad for the 2002 FIFA World Cup. He was named the Best African Goalkeeper for the 2006–07 season.

Kameni was also selected for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. Many people expected him to be the starting goalkeeper. However, the coach decided to play Souleymanou Hamidou instead. Cameroon was the first team to be eliminated from the tournament that year.

On 27 October 2015, Kameni was called back to the national team. This happened after a period where he wasn't selected for the team. He was called up by the new manager for a game against Niger in the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.

Personal Life

Carlos Kameni has an older brother named Mathurin. He was also a footballer and played as a goalkeeper, just like Carlos.

Career Statistics

Club

International

Honours and Awards

Espanyol

• Copa del Rey: 2005–06
• UEFA Cup runner-up: 2006–07

Arta/Solar7

• Djibouti Premier League: 2021–22
• Djibouti Cup: 2022

Cameroon U23

• Summer Olympics: 2000 (Gold Medal)

Cameroon

• Africa Cup of Nations: 2002
• FIFA Confederations Cup runner-up: 2003

Individual

• Málaga Player of the Year: 2014–15

See also

In Spanish: Carlos Kameni para niños