Within three minutes of his Bundesliga debut, Emmanuel Latte Lath struck a header against Eintracht Frankfurt for Union Berlin, calling it an explosion of emotion. The 27‑year‑old had left the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire for Italy at eight and later moved to Middlesbrough, where 16 goals in his first Championship season raised his profile. A £22.5m transfer to MLS side Atlanta brought huge pressure.
The Atlanta spell yielded 11 goals in 48 games, but expectations were higher. Latte Lath admits the move was difficult and that he “really wanted to show them why I arrived there. And it did not work.” He now stresses remembering why you started and not letting others make decisions for you.
Memorable moments keep him smiling, especially facing Lionel Messi. “I could touch Messi,” he says, recalling the kid‑like awe. Meanwhile, his time under Michael Carrick at Boro taught him a calm, analytical approach that helped him thrive in a family‑club environment.
Looking at Carrick’s struggles at Manchester United, Latte Lath believes a coach who listens and analyses, rather than screams, is key to navigating tough periods.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing