Inspiring Soccer Players Whose Lives Were Shaped by Adoption

Jul 7
3 min read

As soccer fans around the world celebrate the excitement of the World Cup, we thought it would be fun to highlight a few professional soccer players whose lives were shaped by loving families. Their stories are all unique, but they share one thing in common. They were given the love, support, and opportunity to grow into who they were meant to be.

One of the things we love most about adoption is that every story is different. Some children are adopted as infants. Others are welcomed into their families later in childhood. Every journey has its own challenges, joys, and milestones.

Marcel Desailly: A World Cup Champion

Marcel Desailly is one of the most respected defenders to ever play the game. He helped France win the 1998 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2000, and he enjoyed an incredible club career with AC Milan and Chelsea.

What many people don't know is that Marcel's story includes adoption. Born in Ghana, he was adopted by his stepfather after his mother remarried. His family later moved to France, where he discovered his love for soccer and became one of the best players in the world.

His story is a beautiful reminder that family is built through love and commitment. The people who choose to walk beside us can have a lifelong impact on who we become.

Femi Hollinger-Janzen: A Story of Hope

Femi Hollinger-Janzen was born in Benin and abandoned as an infant. Missionaries Rod and Lynda Hollinger-Janzen took him into their care while also doing everything they could to help him reconnect with his biological family. When that was no longer possible, they officially adopted him and welcomed him into their family.

Femi eventually moved to Indiana, where he fell in love with soccer. He became one of the top high school players in the state, helped Indiana University win an NCAA National Championship, and was later drafted into Major League Soccer by the New England Revolution.

It's an incredible story, but what stands out most isn't his soccer career. It's the love of a family that saw value in a little boy long before anyone knew what his future would hold.

Jirès Kembo Ekoko: Finding Family

Jirès Kembo Ekoko was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and moved to France as a child. As a young boy, he was welcomed into the home of Wilfried Mbappé and his family, where he was raised alongside Kylian Mbappé. The Mbappé family provided the stability and encouragement he needed as he pursued his dream of playing soccer.

Kembo Ekoko went on to enjoy a successful professional career in France, Turkey, the Middle East, and with the DR Congo national team. His story reminds us that children thrive when they know they belong. A caring family can provide the confidence, encouragement, and support that helps a child discover their unique gifts.

Every Child Has Incredible Potential

We love stories like these because they remind us that adoption is about creating families. Every child has gifts, talents, and dreams that are waiting to be discovered. Some may even grow up to play professional soccer. Others may become teachers, nurses, business owners, artists, or loving parents. The point isn't what they accomplish, but that every child deserves the chance to grow up knowing they are loved.

At Choice Adoptions, we have the privilege of seeing that truth lived out every day. Every adoption story is different, but they all begin the same way. Someone opens their heart and says yes to a child. That simple act of love has the power to change a life forever.

Begin your adoption journey today.