European journeyman finds success in Cambodian football

Antoine Lemarie, a 27-year-old midfielder, has soared to new heights by securing his first professional football contract and gaining online fame in the unlikely setting of Cambodia.

Lemarie, who once faced the challenges of the lower tiers of European football, recently signed with Boeung Ket FC in the Cambodian Premier League, based in the bustling capital city of Phnom Penh.

Having chronicled his footballing journey on YouTube since 2020, Lemarie was taken aback by the overwhelming response to footage of his debut match with the “Blue Dragons,” which garnered over 140,000 views on the platform.

“I was stunned, it’s so unlikely,” he expressed to AFP. Lemarie’s life has undergone a complete transformation, marking a stark contrast to his years of struggle as an amateur player in Europe.

Under the terms of his contract, Lemarie will reside and play in Cambodia until May, with the deal valuing in the several thousand dollars range.

Boeung Ket FC is providing him with accommodation in the form of a flat, along with a scooter for his daily commute.

Lemarie, who had previously faced the harsh realities of the European football scene, including part-time gigs as an ice-cream seller, pizza delivery man, removal man, and valet, has not shied away from sharing the difficulties he encountered in the sport.

His departure from a third-division Greek club last year, where he claimed to have faced threats of assault from the manager, shed light on the darker side of football where young players are susceptible to exploitation and abuse.

On his YouTube channel, which boasts over 20,000 subscribers primarily from France, Lemarie provides a glimpse into both his on-field experiences and off-field challenges.

“It is also interesting to show a bit of the life around me, as I am not in a random club, I am in Cambodia,” he remarked. “For them, it is interesting to discover another country, I think.”

Cambodian football, plagued by crumbling infrastructure and relative anonymity on the global stage, is witnessing the emergence of a small group of foreign players, with Lemarie being a notable addition.

Boeung Ket FC coach Hong Pheng, welcoming the attention brought by the newcomer, emphasized the positive impact of overseas players on Cambodian football.

“I don’t mind… when he posts a video, it will promote Cambodian football,” Pheng stated.

Now a full-time professional, Lemarie faces heightened expectations, but having achieved his lifelong dream, he embraces the added pressure.

“Anything that goes after is just a bonus,” he concluded.