Former Arsenal and Côte d'Ivoire defender Emmanuel Eboué has opened up about the devastating impact of his divorce, revealing that he lost his houses, cars, and a significant portion of his wealth following the breakdown of his marriage. Speaking during a recent interview, the former footballer said the divorce left him financially ruined, describing the experience as one of the most painful periods of his life.
Financial Ruin After Divorce
Eboué disclosed that he lost three houses in England, along with multiple cars and a substantial amount of money. "I lose a lot, a lot, yeah, to be honest, a lot. I don't want to say how much, but it was a lot," Eboué said. "I lost everything in England. I bought a lot of houses there. I have three houses there. I have a lot of cars. So, all of them, I lost, except money also." The properties were acquired during the marriage and were considered marital assets in the divorce proceedings. Eboué clarified that the assets were not solely in his former wife's name. "No, no, no. It was for all of us, you know. Because she was my wife."
Criticism of England's Family Court System
Reflecting on the outcome, Eboué shared his personal opinion on how family disputes are handled in England. "When you have problems with any woman there, I will tell you the truth, she will win. Even if she did bad things to you, they're going to give her a little percentage. So me, I lost a lot." His remarks are based solely on his own experience and perception of the legal process.
Emotional and Family Toll
The former defender, who joined Arsenal in 2005 and helped the club reach the 2006 UEFA Champions League final, said the emotional toll of the separation extended beyond losing his wealth. He revealed that the experience also affected his relationship with his mother, leading to years of estrangement. "These things, when I'm talking about that, it's paining me a lot because…" Eboué became one of Africa's most recognisable footballers, later playing for Turkish club Galatasaray and representing Côte d'Ivoire at multiple Africa Cup of Nations and FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Rebuilding After Divorce
His financial struggles first made international headlines years ago after reports emerged that he had lost much of his fortune post-divorce and faced financial difficulties. In subsequent interviews, Eboué has spoken openly about battling depression and rebuilding his life after retiring from football. His latest comments have sparked conversations online, with many social media users expressing sympathy for the former footballer, while others debated his views on England's family court system and asset division during divorce.
