Breel Embolo: A Friendly Guide to Switzerland’s Soccer Hero

Who Is Breel Embolo?

Breel Embolo is a soccer player (we also call it football) who plays for the country of Switzerland. Think of him as a player whose job is to attack and try to score goals.

• He has been one of Switzerland’s most reliable attacking players since he started playing for the grown-up national team in 2015.
• He has played in many big world tournaments like the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship (a big soccer contest between European countries).
• Right now, he plays in France’s top soccer league called Ligue 1 (pronounced "League 1") for a club named Rennes. He joined Rennes in 2025 after playing for AS Monaco.
• Before going to France, he became famous at a club called FC Basel in Switzerland, where he won three Swiss Super League titles in a row (that’s the top league in Switzerland).
• He is strong, fast, and can do many jobs in attack: he can be the main scorer (center forward), a support attacker (second striker), or play on the side (winger).
• Because of this, he is one of the most valuable attacking choices for Switzerland’s coach, Murat Yakin.

Important Point: Even though Switzerland has many good players from different leagues, Embolo stands out because of how well he plays on the field.

How Old Is Breel Embolo?

Let’s talk about his age in a simple way.

• Breel Embolo is 29 years old.
• He was born on February 14, 1997, in a city called Yaoundé, which is in Cameroon (a country in Africa).
• When he was a child, he moved to Switzerland.
• He became allowed to play for the Swiss national team in 2015.
• He started playing professional soccer with FC Basel when he was only 17 years old. He quickly became known as one of the brightest young strikers (goal scorers) in Europe.
• Almost ten years later, he has played soccer in three countries: Switzerland, Germany, and France.

How Tall Is Breel Embolo?

Size matters in soccer when you want to win the ball!

• Breel Embolo is 6 feet 0 inches tall (that’s about 1.84 meters).
• His mix of height, strength, and speed makes him a tough player for defenders (the guys trying to stop him) to handle.
• He can play as a center forward (middle attacker) or as a wide attacker (on the sides).
• Even though he mainly scores goals, his athletic skills let him help in many attacking ways. He is good at pressing (chasing opponents) and holding the ball so teammates can join.

What Is Breel Embolo’s Nationality?

This is a bit of a two-country story.

• He was born in Cameroon.
• He moved to Switzerland with his family when he was a young child.
• He became a Swiss citizen in 2015, which means he could officially play for Switzerland’s national team.
• He is among the players who were born outside Switzerland but represent the country at the 2026 World Cup.
• Before playing for the big team, he played for Switzerland’s youth teams (teams for kids and young adults).
• His background from two cultures makes him one of Switzerland’s well-known players.

Breel Embolo’s Family: Does He Have a Partner?

Yes, he has a loving family!

• Embolo has a longtime girlfriend named Naomi, who is a Swiss model. They have been together since 2017, but they keep their life private.
• They had a daughter named Naliya in June 2018, just before the 2018 World Cup.
• He says he is a family-first person.
• When he was young, he moved to Switzerland with his mother and brother at age five. His parents had separated, and his mom later settled in Basel with a new husband. That’s where he started playing soccer and joined the FC Basel youth academy.
• He often says his family helped him adjust to life and even helped him heal from a bad ankle injury. Family support was key when he returned to soccer.

Important Point: Becoming a father changed how he saw life, especially while he was recovering from a serious ankle injury. His family’s support helped him come back to the top level.

Which Club Does Breel Embolo Play For?

Let’s look at his team today.

• He plays for Rennes in France’s Ligue 1.
• He joined Rennes in September 2025 after spending three seasons with AS Monaco. His contract goes until 2029.
• Before Rennes, his clubs were:
  • FC Basel (Switzerland)
  • Schalke 04 (Germany)
  • Borussia Monchengladbach (Germany)
  • AS Monaco (France)
• He has played in the Swiss Super League, Germany’s Bundesliga (top league), France’s Ligue 1, and the UEFA Champions League (the biggest club competition in Europe).

Breel Embolo’s International Career with Switzerland

Playing for your country is a big honor.

• He has worn the Swiss shirt since 2015.
• He made his first senior team appearance in March 2015.
• He has now played more than 90 games (we call these “caps”) and scored over 25 goals for Switzerland.
• He has been in these big tournaments:
  • UEFA Euro 2016, 2020, 2024
  • FIFA World Cup 2018, 2022, 2026
• Because he can play many roles and has experience, he stays a key part of the team’s attack.

Breel Embolo’s Career Highlights

Here are the big moments in his soccer life, explained simply:

• Started pro soccer young: He debuted with FC Basel at 17 in 2014, scoring 32 goals and giving 26 assists in 104 games.
• Won three league titles in a row: Helped Basel win the Swiss Super League in 2014, 2015, and 2016.
• Moved to Germany’s Bundesliga: Schalke 04 signed him in 2016. Later he played three seasons for Borussia Mönchengladbach, making over 150 Bundesliga appearances.
• Played in Europe’s biggest club contests: He featured in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League for Basel, Schalke, Gladbach, and Monaco.
• Kept playing in France: After three years at AS Monaco, he signed a four-year deal with Rennes in September 2025.
• Became a Switzerland legend: Over 90 national team games, more than 25 goals, and many World Cups and Euros.
• Beat injuries: He had serious injuries early in Germany but came back to be a regular starter, showing great toughness.

Summary

Breel Embolo is a 29-year-old soccer star born in Cameroon who grew up in Switzerland. He is tall (1.84 m), strong, and fast, and can play many attacking positions. He has played for clubs in Switzerland, Germany, and France, currently at Rennes. Since 2015, he has been a key player for Switzerland’s national team, earning over 90 caps and scoring 25+ goals across multiple World Cups and European Championships. Off the field, he values his partner Naomi, daughter Naliya, and his family who supported him through injuries. His career is full of titles, moves, and resilience.

FAQ

1. How old is Breel Embolo?
He is 29 years old, born on February 14, 1997.

2. How tall is Breel Embolo?
He is 6 feet 0 inches (1.84 meters) tall.

3. What is Breel Embolo’s nationality?
He was born in Cameroon but moved to Switzerland as a child and became a Swiss citizen in 2015, so he is Swiss.

4. Which club does Breel Embolo play for now?
He plays for Rennes in France’s Ligue 1, joining them in September 2025.

5. Does Breel Embolo have a family?
Yes, he has been with partner Naomi since 2017 and they have a daughter named Naliya born in 2018. He also has a mother and brother who moved with him to Switzerland.