Fabrice Olinga facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Fabrice Olinga

Olinga before a game with Málaga in 2014
Personal information
Full name	Fabrice Olinga Essono
Date of birth	(1996-05-12) 12 May 1996 (age 29)
Place of birth	Douala, Cameroon
Height	1.76 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Youth career
2007–2009	Samuel Eto'o Academy
2009–2011	Mallorca
2011–2013	Málaga
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2013	Málaga B	21	(1)
2012–2014	Málaga	10	(1)
2014–2015	Apollon Limassol	1	(0)
2014	→ Zulte Waregem (loan)	7	(0)
2015	Sampdoria	0	(0)
2015	→ Viitorul Constanța (loan)	0	(0)
2015–2021	Mouscron	121	(6)
2021–2022	Rio Ave	6	(0)
2023–2024	Botoșani	8	(0)
International career
2012–2020	Cameroon	20	(1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 12 November 2023

Fabrice Olinga Essono (born on May 12, 1996), known as Olinga, is a professional footballer from Cameroon. He plays as a forward, which means he tries to score goals for his team.

Olinga made history when he became the youngest player ever to score a goal in La Liga, Spain's top football league. He was only 16 years old at the time, playing for Málaga. After leaving Málaga, he played for different teams in countries like Belgium, Cyprus, Romania, and Portugal.

He also played for the Cameroon national team and was part of their squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Early Life and Training

Fabrice Olinga was born in Douala, a city in Cameroon. He started his football journey at a young age. He learned how to play at the "Samuel Eto'o Foundation" in Cameroon. This foundation helps young football players develop their skills.

In 2009, Olinga moved to Spain. He joined the youth teams of RCD Mallorca, another well-known Spanish football club.

Two years later, in 2011, Málaga CF noticed Olinga's talent. Their academy director, Manuel Casanova, invited him to join Málaga's youth academy. Olinga played a big role in Málaga's youth team. They reached the final of the Copa del Rey Juvenil de Fútbol (a youth cup competition) in 2012. However, Olinga could not play in the final game because he was suspended. Málaga lost that game 1–0 to RCD Espanyol.

Club Career Highlights

Making History at Málaga

When Olinga was just 16 years old, he got a big chance. The first-team manager, Manuel Pellegrini, called him up to play for Málaga's senior team. This was for the first game of the 2012–13 La Liga season against RC Celta de Vigo.

Olinga came into the game as a substitute in the 60th minute. He then scored the only goal of the match! This made him La Liga's youngest ever goalscorer. He was 16 years and 98 days old. This record beat the previous one held by Iker Muniain by 191 days. Olinga's record stood for a long time, until October 8, 2023, when Lamine Yamal broke it by just 11 days.

Just four days later, Olinga started another important game. He played in a UEFA Champions League match against Panathinaikos FC. Málaga won that game 2–0.

Moving to Other European Clubs

In January 2014, Olinga left Málaga. He joined Apollon Limassol FC in Cyprus. From there, he was immediately loaned to S.V. Zulte Waregem in Belgium for five months.

In February 2015, Apollon loaned Olinga to FC Viitorul Constanța in Romania. Later that year, he signed a two-year contract with Royal Mouscron-Péruwelz in Belgium. He played many games for Mouscron over several seasons.

After leaving Mouscron, Olinga played for Rio Ave FC in Portugal. He also played for FC Botoșani in Romania.

International Career

Playing for Cameroon

On October 2, 2012, Olinga was called up to play for the Cameroon national team. This was for a qualification match for the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations against Cape Verde.

Olinga scored a goal in his very first game for Cameroon on October 14, 2012. Cameroon won that match 2–1.

FIFA World Cup Appearance

In 2014, when he was 18 years old, Olinga was chosen by coach Volker Finke to be part of Cameroon's squad for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was the youngest player in the entire tournament! Even though he was part of the team, he did not play in any matches. Cameroon was eliminated from the tournament after the group stage.

International Statistics

Scores and results list Cameroon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Olinga goal.

#	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	14 October 2012	Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon	Cape Verde	2–1	2–1	2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Awards and Achievements

Zulte Waregem

• Belgian Cup runner-up: 2013–14 (This means his team reached the final but didn't win the cup.)

Rio Ave

• Liga Portugal 2: 2021–22 (This means his team won the second-tier league in Portugal.)

See also

In Spanish: Fabrice Olinga para niños