Emmanuel Latte Lath scored within three minutes of his Bundesliga debut for Union Berlin, turning a simple header against Eintracht Frankfurt into an emotional landmark. At 27, it was his first appearance in one of Europe’s major leagues.
“It was like an explosion, the emotion that I had inside,” he said.
The goal represented the culmination of a long journey from Cote d’Ivoire, where he was born, to Italy, where he moved aged eight. It also marked a fresh start after a difficult spell following his £22.5m transfer from Middlesbrough to Major League Soccer club Atlanta last year.
“I came there with a lot of expectation,” Latte Lath told Sky Sports. “It became really, really difficult. I really felt it on my skin, on my journey, on my career.”
He scored 11 goals in 48 games, but admitted he had wanted more. “I really wanted to show them why I arrived there. And it did not work.”
There were highlights, including the chance to play against Lionel Messi. “I was really like a kid when you see your hero. It was unbelievable. I will never forget it. I also touched him. I could touch Messi,” he said, laughing.
Latte Lath believes the experience taught him to take greater responsibility for his own decisions.
“You have to remember why you started. People around you will really, really affect a lot your decisions and your career,” he said.
Asked what he would tell his younger self, he added: “Maybe take more decisions for myself, not let people take decisions for me. This is the main thing I can say to the young Emmanuel.”
After beginning his career at Atalanta, Latte Lath spent time on loan, including at Swiss club St Gallen, where he scored 14 top-flight goals. His career accelerated at Middlesbrough, where he scored 16 times in his first Championship season.
He credits the club’s family atmosphere for helping him flourish after leaving his family in Italy. “I came and I found another family,” he said.
Michael Carrick was in charge for all 29 of Latte Lath’s Middlesbrough goals. The striker described him as a calm coach who observes carefully and tries to bring out the best in his players.
“When we were in the difficult situation, he never screamed like crazy,” Latte Lath said. “He just tried to analyse the moment and analyse the players and help us talk.”
Latte Lath is also working with a mental coach, something he initially questioned. “In the beginning, I was, like, I don’t trust him,” he said, but added that the conversations had helped him in football and in life as a new father.
Union Berlin has brought “a new coach, new system, new everything”. He has already faced Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, as well as Harry Kane.
“As a striker, I always try to steal something,” he said, studying opponents’ movement and pressing. “I am the first defender.” His aim is now to develop into a leader.
“The past year has been a bit tough,” he admitted, but said he had learned “to never give up”. “Honestly, I cannot do it alone. The people around me help a lot.”
