Carlos Baleba was born on January 3, 2004, in Douala, Cameroon — just a regular day, right? Wrong. It was the day a future football legend entered the world. He’s 20 years on in November 2024 and currently lives in England.
Check: Raised in the heart of Douala’s Akwa neighborhood, he didn’t have a fancy football academy to kickstart his career. He started kicking balls on the streets like most future superstars do.
His dad, Eugene Baleba, however, was a pro player (not too shabby, huh?). So, Carlos didn’t just have football in his genes — he had it in his DNA. For what it’s worth, his dad Bediang Baleba, played in South Africa and Cameroon national teams.
After some street football, Carlos joined Futur Soccer FC, and by age 13, he was already at the École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun (don’t worry, I’ll just call it the Brasseries academy from here). And just like that, the world had another midfield genius in the making.
Check: Carlos Baleba is a Cameroonian citizen by birth. Per open-source documents, he is of Bassa descent in Africa. Now. He has a younger brother, Bediang Baleba, with whom he was raised in the neighborhood of Akwa.
As with members or his family — including his parents and siblings — he follows the Christian religion. For what it’s worth, he had most of his childhood and early life with his younger brother, Bediang Baleba, in Akwa.
Apparently: Carlos’ younger brother, Bediang, is a fast-growing footballer. Now. An October 2024 report was quoted as saying:
“Carlos Baleba’s brother Bediang Baleba is at Saint James Park, the Stadium of English Premier League side Newcastle United. He is there on the demand of the club’s scouts and will be having trials which if successful will see him join Newcastle’s youth teams.”
Carlos Baleba Club Career
Carlos Baleba didn’t waste any time in making waves. After impressing in Cameroon, he made the leap to Lille in January 2022. Sure, it wasn’t the glitziest move, but it was the right one. He started with Lille’s B team, which sounds like a minor league, but trust me, he wasn’t in it for the minor league fun. He was already eyeing the big leagues.
Check: By August 2022, he was stepping onto the pitch for the first team in a Ligue 1 game against Auxerre. And what a debut — Lille won 4-1, and easy, Carlos got to experience a taste of what was to come.
Then, as the football gods would have it, in August 2023, Brighton & Hove Albion saw what everyone else did and thought, “Yeah, this kid’s got the stuff!” So, they slapped a €27 million price tag on him (which he’s probably still pinching himself about) and brought him to the Premier League.
His debut for Brighton came a month later against AFC Bournemouth, and let’s just say, if you’re a 20-year-old making your Premier League debut, you’d better show up. Guess what? Carlos did just that, and he even scored his first Brighton goal just a few weeks later. What a rise!
Carlos Baleba International Career
Carlos wasn’t just turning heads at the club level — his home country, Cameroon, took notice too. In June 2024, he made his international debut for the Indomitable Lions in a World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde.
Check: Carlos started the game, played 80 minutes, and helped Cameroon win 4-1. Not bad for a guy who’s still got his whole career ahead of him. Plus, he’s got a rise and his performance did, in fact, solidify his worth.
Now that he’s wearing the national team colors, it’s clear: Cameroon has a new midfield general, and they should be grateful they snagged him before the rest of the world did.
Carlos Baleba Career Highlights
Let’s be real: Carlos Baleba has already had some outstanding, jaw-dropping moments at the club and international level. Here are a few that made everyone take a second look:
- First Brighton Goal (September 2024): He didn’t just score any goal — he helped Brighton beat Wolves 3-2 in the EFL Cup, and let’s be honest, that’s a hero move.
- Premier League First (October 2024): Carlos found the back of the net in a dramatic 4-2 loss to Chelsea. Not the result Brighton wanted, but Carlos made his mark.
- Cameroon Debut (June 2024): Playing 80 minutes in a 4-1 win over Cape Verde on his first day with the national team. Big things coming.
Check: Manchester City is now looking at bringing him to their side, as City’s manager Pep Guardiola has taken notice of what he could be for Cityzens at Etihad Stadium.
Carlos Baleba Style of Play
What makes Carlos Baleba so good? Oh, let me count the ways! He’s got stamina for days, dribbles like he’s on a different level, and his passing? Well, let’s just say, some footballers would pay to have that kind of range.
Check: Whether he’s bossing the midfield in a box-to-box role or sitting deep as a holding midfielder, Carlos makes it look easy and football critics can confirm.
His idols? Paul Pogba, Kevin De Bruyne, Thiago Alcantara — just a casual list of the best midfielders in the game. But don’t think Carlos is just copying them. No, no. He’s taking bits of all their styles and combining them into his own midfield masterpiece.
Carlos Baleba Body Measurements
Carlos isn’t a giant, but he’s definitely got the physique for the Premier League. Standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall (178 cm) and weighing 161 pounds (73 kg), he’s got that perfect balance between strength and agility. Just enough to muscle through those midfield battles but quick enough to dance around defenders.
Add in the fact that his hair’s always on point and those dark brown eyes are ready to take on any challenge, and it’s clear: Carlos is ready for the big stage. Spoiler: He already has.
Carlos Baleba Dating History
Now, I know what you’re wonderingn— what about his love life? Is Carlos Baleba married? taken? Or single? Well, good luck finding the answer, ‘cause the man is tight-lipped about his dating history.
Nobody really knows his who his current girlfriend is. He’s not sharing any clues on Instagram, and the rumor mill is quiet for now. But… It seems like football is his one true love, and with the way he’s playing, that’s probably for the best
But, here’s another theory of ours: We’ve got no scoop here, really — Carlos is either flying solo or keeping his romantic life as mysterious as his rise to football fame. But let’s be real: with his talent, he doesn’t need any extra distractions… for now. Plus, he’s hardly 20.
Carlos Baleba Net Worth
We all know footballers make big money, and Carlos is no exception. After signing that juicy €27 million contract with Brighton & Hove Albion, his bank account must be looking very healthy. His net worth is estimated to be $2-3 million in 2024.
Check: With an annual salary of €650,000, he’s definitely living the dream — plus, there’s the €22 million current market value (which, let’s face it, is going up every time he steps on the pitch). If this kid doesn’t end up buying his own football club one day, I’ll be shocked. Also, won’t change the fact that I’m as broke as he’s as rich. XD
Fun Facts: Carlos’ Hidden Talents
- Instagram Star: Carlos isn’t just scoring goals; he’s scoring followers too. His Insta (@carlos_baleba) is where he shows off his football skills, the occasional car post, and maybe even a dance move (we can only hope).
- Football Family: It runs in the family! His dad, Eugene Baleba, was a professional footballer, too — guess football greatness is a family tradition.
- Idolized by the Best: Carlos looks up to the best — Pogba, De Bruyne, and Thiago — so expect him to be at their level someday. Actually, who am I kidding? He’s already there.
His Future: The Sky’s the Limit
Carlos Baleba is just getting started, and the future is looking bright — pun totally intended. He’s already one of the most exciting midfielders in the Premier League, and he’s only 20 years old. The world’s his oyster, and he’s probably going to be picking up trophies, earning plaudits, and — let’s be real — making a ton of money along the way.
Will he lead Cameroon to glory? Will Brighton build their midfield around him for the next decade or Manchester City would get to sign him next summer? Time will tell, but one thing’s for sure: Carlos Baleba is a name that’s going to echo in football for years to come.
And, you, Carlos, the CHUMAA Magazine Team says its greetings. Keep playing, perfecting your forms and aiming for the Sky. We are rooting!
