Vincent Aboubakar


Vincent Paté Aboubakar is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as striker for Azerbaijani Premier League club Neftçi and captains the Cameroon national team.
Aboubakar began his career at Coton Sport and moved to Europe in 2010, playing for Ligue 1 clubs Valenciennes and Lorient, totalling 109 appearances and 26 goals in France's top division. In 2015, he signed for Porto, where he played 125 games and scored 58 goals, winning a Primeira Liga title. He won the Turkish Süper Lig while on loan at Beşiktaş in 2017, and again in 2021.
Aboubakar has earned over 110 caps for Cameroon since his international debut in May 2010. He is currently the second-highest scorer in the history of the national team, behind only Samuel Eto'o. He was part of their squads for the 2010, 2014 and 2022 FIFA World Cups, as well as the Africa Cup of Nations in 2015, 2017, 2021 and 2023. Aboubakar scored the winning goal in the final of the 2017 tournament, and was the top goalscorer of the 2021 edition.

Early life

Vincent Aboubakar was born on 22 January 1992 in Garoua, North Region of Cameroon. He was raised in a devout Christian family in a Muslim-majority city and his mother Maobeal Alice was a deaconess for the Evangelical Missionary Society of Cameroon.

Club career

Valenciennes

On 26 May 2010, Aboubakar signed with Valenciennes in France. He was assigned the number 9 shirt and made his debut in the club's opening league match of the season against Nice appearing as a substitute. He scored his first goal and hat-trick against Boulogne in Coupe de la Ligue.

Lorient

Aboubakar signed for Lorient on a free transfer on 1 July 2013. He made his debut for the Breton team on 10 August, playing the full 90 minutes of a 1–0 loss at Lille, and scored his first goal eight days later, equalising in a 2–1 win over Nantes at the Stade du Moustoir. He came joint second top scorer over the season with 16 league goals from 35 appearances, including braces in a 4–0 win at Évian on 23 November and a 4–4 home draw with Montpellier on 20 April 2014.

Porto

Aboubakar signed for Porto on 24 August 2014, signing a four-year contract for a fee of €3 million, equivalent to 30% of his economic rights. He had previously been a target for Hull City.
He made his debut on 14 September in a 1–1 Primeira Liga draw at Vitória S.C., replacing Héctor Herrera in added time. Three days later in the UEFA Champions League, after coming on for Jackson Martínez, he scored his first Porto goal to conclude a 6–0 home win over BATE Borisov in the UEFA Champions League group stage. On 25 October, again as the Colombian's replacement, he scored a first league goal to wrap up a 5–0 victory at F.C. Arouca. He was used almost exclusively as a substitute over the season, as Porto finished runners-up to S.L. Benfica.
In his second season in Portugal, following the sale of Martínez, Aboubakar played much more regularly. He opened the season on 15 August 2015 with two goals in a 3–0 win over Vitória at the Estádio do Dragão, and scored twice the following 10 January in a 5–0 win at city rivals Boavista FC. He scored once in five games as the team reached the final of the Taça de Portugal, and scored the only goal of the fifth-round win at C.D. Feirense on 16 December 2015.

Loan to Beşiktaş

On 27 August 2016, Süper Lig reigning champions Beşiktaş signed Aboubakar on a season-long loan. He made his debut for the Istanbul-based club on 10 September, replacing Olcay Şahan for the last six minutes of a 3–1 home win over Kardemir Karabükspor. He did not score until his eighth match, in which he contributed two goals to a 3–2 Champions League win at Napoli on 19 October 2016 that was his club's first win in the competition since November 2009. Four days later he scored his first league goal, also assisting Talisca in a 3–0 victory over Antalyaspor at Vodafone Park. In March 2017, he scored in each leg of a 5–2 aggregate win over Olympiacos at the round of 16 in the UEFA Europa League, although he was sent off in the second game for fighting with Panagiotis Retsos. He finished the season scoring 12 goals in 27 league appearances, as the Black Eagles retained their league title.

Return to Porto

After returning to Portugal, Aboubakar was part of a three-pronged attack made of African players, alongside the Malian Moussa Marega and Algeria's Yacine Brahimi. He scored his first hat-trick for the Dragons on 20 August 2017 in a 3–0 home win over Moreirense FC. On 13 September, as the Champions League campaign began with a 3–1 home loss to Beşiktaş, he celebrated with his former teammates in their changing room. He scored five times in the group as Porto advanced, including two-goal hauls in both wins over French champions AS Monaco. On 10 December, he scored another hat-trick in a 5–0 win at Vitória F.C. that put Porto back on top of the table.
In September 2018, Aboubakar suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against C.D. Tondela. He underwent surgery, causing a long-term absence. On 4 May 2019, he made his comeback as a late substitute for Marega in a 4–0 home win over C.D. Aves.
On 18 August 2019, Aboubakar played the full 90 minutes of FC Porto B's 1–1 home draw with Varzim S.C. in LigaPro.

Return to Beşiktaş

After terminating his contract with Porto, Aboubakar returned to Istanbul to meet with Beşiktaş on 25 September 2020. The following day, he signed a contract until 31 May 2021. In his one season back in Istanbul, he was the fifth-highest goalscorer with 15 goals as his team won the league. This included two on 29 November in a 4–3 win at city rivals Fenerbahçe.

Al Nassr

On 8 June 2021, Aboubakar signed with Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on a three-year deal. His salary was set at €6 million per year.
Aboubakar reached a mutual agreement to terminate his contract at the Riyadh-based club in January 2023, being compensated for what remained of it. His exit was required in order to free a foreigner quota place for Cristiano Ronaldo.

Third stint at Beşiktaş

On 21 January 2023, Aboubakar re-signed with Turkish club Beşiktaş as a replacement for departing striker Wout Weghorst. The 2-year deal involved a €1.1 million signing bonus and €1.5 million for the 2022–23 season, and €3.1 million per season for the remaining seasons, in addition to a maximum of €12,000 per match depending on the duration and type of competition." Aboubakar scored 13 goals from 16 matches in second half of the season, placing him ninth in the Süper Lig top scorers list for 2022–23.
On 11 December 2023, it was officially announced that Aboubakar has been excluded from the squad along with Valentin Rosier, Eric Bailly, Rachid Ghezzal and Jean Onana due to poor performance and incompatibility within the team.
On 14 February 2024, Aboubakar had been pardoned by the club, and started training with the team. He has been included in the squad for the upcoming game against Konyaspor.

Hatayspor

Aboubakar signed with Turkish club Hatayspor after terminating his contract with Beşiktaş for an undisclosed reason.
On 9 May 2025, Aboubakar has terminated his contract with Turkish side Hatayspor by mutual agreement.

Neftçi PFK

On 21 October 2025, Aboubakar signed for Azerbaijani Premier League club Neftçi on a one-year deal, with an option for a further year.

International career

On 18 August 2009, Aboubakar was called up to the Cameroon national under-20 football team for the Francophone Games in Beirut.
In May 2010, aged 18, he was named to the Cameroon 23-man squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Aboubakar was the only player in the squad who was based in Cameroon. He made his debut in the friendly match on 29 May 2010 against Slovakia. On 11 August 2010, Aboubakar scored his first goal for the national team, in a friendly against Poland.
He was called up for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, and subsequently for the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations. In the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations, Aboubakar scored an 88th-minute goal in the final to hand Cameroon a comeback 2–1 victory against Egypt to end his nation's 15-year wait for a continental crown.
Later that year, he was part of the Cameroon squad at the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia. He scored a consolation goal in their 3–1 loss to world champions Germany in Sochi on 25 June.
Aboubakar was a noted absence from Cameroon's 2019 Africa Cup of Nations squad, with manager Clarence Seedorf doubting his fitness after his recent return from long-term injury.
Aboubakar returned to the national team for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted by his country at the start of the following year. He scored five group stage goals against Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Cape Verde, followed by a sixth in a 2–1 win over Comoros in the last 16. In the third-place match against Burkina Faso, he scored twice in a 3–3 draw, which was eventually won on penalties. With 8 goals in 7 games, he was the top scorer and made the Team of the Tournament.
In the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he scored a goal and provided an assist in a 3–3 draw against Serbia. His goal was described as an "outrageous scoop" by BBC Sport. He scored the winning goal against Brazil in the third match, after which he drew his second yellow card for taking off his shirt and was therefore sent off.
Aboubakar was injured before the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in the Ivory Coast. He recovered in time for the last 16, where his team were eliminated by rivals Nigeria, which also marked his 100th match with the national team. In December 2025, he was excluded from the final squad for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Career statistics

International

No.DateVenueCapOpponentScoreResultCompetition
111 August 2010Stadion Poznań, Poznań, Poland53–03–0Friendly
25 March 2014Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa, Leiria, Portugal221–11–5Friendly
36 September 2014Stade TP Mazembe, Lubumbashi, DR Congo272–02–02015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
410 September 2014Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon282–14–12015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
510 September 2014Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon283–14–12015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
615 November 2014Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon301–01–02015 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
710 January 2015Stade d'Angondjé, Libreville, Gabon321–01–1Friendly
825 March 2015Gelora Delta Stadium, Sidoarjo, Indonesia361–01–0Friendly
96 June 2015Stade Yves-du-Manoir, Colombes, France371–13–2Friendly
1014 June 2015Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon391–01–02017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
116 September 2015Independence Stadium, Bakau, Gambia401–01–02017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1213 November 2015Stade Général Seyni Kountché, Niamey, Niger422–03–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
1330 May 2016Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes, France451–12–3Friendly
1412 November 2016Kouekong Stadium, Bafoussam, Cameroon481–11–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
155 February 2017Stade de l'Amitié, Libreville, Gabon542–12–12017 Africa Cup of Nations final
1624 March 2017Mustapha Ben Jannet Stadium, Monastir, Tunisia551–01–0Friendly
1710 June 2017Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon571–01–02019 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
1825 June 2017Fisht Olympic Stadium, Sochi, Russia601–21–32017 FIFA Confederations Cup
194 September 2017Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon621–11–12018 FIFA World Cup qualification
2025 March 2018Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, Kuwait City, Kuwait651–03–1Friendly
2112 November 2020Reunification Stadium, Douala, Cameroon681–04–12021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2212 November 2020Reunification Stadium, Douala, Cameroon682–04–12021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
2316 November 2020Estádio do Zimpeto, Maputo, Mozambique691–02–02021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
243 September 2021Paul Biya Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon721–02–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2513 November 2021Orlando Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa761–04–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification
269 January 2022Paul Biya Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon781–12–12021 Africa Cup of Nations
279 January 2022Paul Biya Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon782–12–12021 Africa Cup of Nations
2813 January 2022Paul Biya Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon792–14–12021 Africa Cup of Nations
2913 January 2022Paul Biya Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon793–14–12021 Africa Cup of Nations
3017 January 2022Paul Biya Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon801–01–12021 Africa Cup of Nations
3124 January 2022Paul Biya Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon812–02–12021 Africa Cup of Nations
325 February 2022Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon842–33–32021 Africa Cup of Nations
335 February 2022Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon843–33–32021 Africa Cup of Nations
3428 November 2022Al Janoub Stadium, Al Wakrah, Qatar932–33–32022 FIFA World Cup
352 December 2022Lusail Stadium, Lusail, Qatar941–01–02022 FIFA World Cup
3628 March 2023Dobsonville Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa951–21–22023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
3712 September 2023Roumdé Adjia Stadium, Garoua, Cameroon963–03–02023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
388 June 2024Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon1012–04–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
398 June 2024Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon1013–14–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
407 September 2024Japoma Stadium, Doaula, Cameroon1031–01–02025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4111 October 2024Japoma Stadium, Doaula, Cameroon1051–04–12025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4219 November 2024Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon1081–02–12025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
4325 March 2025Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon1101–03–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
4425 March 2025Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon1103–03–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
459 June 2025Marrakesh Stadium, Marrakesh, Morocco1121–01–1Friendly

Honours

Coton Sport
Beşiktaş
Porto
Cameroon
Individual
  • Africa Cup of Nations Golden Boot: 2021
  • Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2021
  • France Football Africa Team of the Year: 2017