Terrible shock, born in Spain but of Nigerian origin, already called to Marcoussis… 5 things to know about Samuel Ezeala, the young winger from Stade Français

A shock could have turned his career upside down

On January 7, 2018, Samuel Ezeala, then 18 years old, discovered the Top 14 against Racing 92. A great first for this promising player, facing the Ile-de-France armada (Rokocoko, Nyanga, Thomas, Szarzewski, etc.). But, at 57^e minute, the young winger must defend against a certain Virimi Vakatawa, launched at full speed. The shock is impressive and the action sends shivers down your spine. The Clermontois at the time collapsed to the ground and an unprecedented protocol in the Top 14 was put in place. Surrounded by white sheets after having lost consciousness for a minute, he was taken care of by doctors but had to be transferred to the hospital where he would regain full possession of his means. For Le Figarothe neurosurgeon Jean Chazal had affirmed that “if there had not been a resuscitation doctor on the ground, he would have died”. That day, Samuel Ezeala made himself known. Despite himself…

Adopted by Spanish parents

Samuel Ezeala was born in Spain, near Barcelona. His biological mother, of Nigerian origin, could not take care of him. “She couldn’t take care of me, especially when she got sick”he explained to Southwest. He was adopted by Spanish parents at the age of two. Hence an attraction to football and FC Barcelona, ​​as he affirmed to Olympic Midday in 2018. “At the start, I was logically more attracted to football than rugby. And then, little by little, the rugby atmosphere distracted me from football”. His father, Carles, was notably an educator at the Barcelona Universitari Club, a historic rugby team.

Also readSamuel Ezeala, the incredible Spanish nugget from Clermont

Spotted thanks to… a video montage

Until she was 15, Ezeala evolved and grew up in Spain. Anyone who dreams of playing in France will send their CV to Toulouse, Montpellier, Racing 92 or even Clermont. After being snubbed by Perpignan despite the proximity to Barcelona, ​​it is ultimately the Auvergne club which will be seduced thanks to a video compilation of its best actions. At 16, the Franco-Spaniard was already training with the ASM first team.

Struck and touched by the death of his mother

His arrival in Clermont was a relief. For young Samuel, but also for his adopted family. But, at 15, he suffered the heavy loss of losing his mother. “When I arrived in Clermont, at 15, I received a call from Nigeria to tell me that my mother had just died. At the time, I wasn’t sure I wanted to continue. But I told myself that this is what she would have liked me to do”he explained to our colleagues at Southwest.

Already called to Marcoussis

Already in 2018, the former Pau player was summoned to Marcoussis by the French rugby sevens team for a preparation course. Four years later, he returned to the training and performance center with… the XV of France. In a very enlarged group for a friendly match against South Africa, Samuel Ezeala had caught the eye of Fabien Galthié. The three-quarter center or winger had indeed had an excellent start to the season with Clermont. Since then, the player has had a string of injuries. He hopes to win at the Stade Français and, why not, finally get a taste of the Coq jersey.