Alex Song played for the Cameroon national team in the 2010 and 2014 FIFA World Cups.
39 Facts About Alex Song
2.
Alex Song was called up for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and was the only Cameroonian named in the Team of the Tournament.
3.
Alex Song is the nephew of former footballer Rigobert Song.
4.
Alex Song was born in Douala, Cameroon, and lost his father at the age of three.
5.
Since then, his uncle Rigobert Alex Song has been like a second father and was a major influence in choosing football as a career.
6.
Unable to find a club or academy where he could hone his skills, Petit Alex Song opted to move to France, joining Bastia at age 16.
7.
In 2011, Alex Song became an ambassador for Grassroot Soccer, an international non-profit organisation working through football to stop the spread of HIV.
8.
Bastia were playing in Ligue 1 during the time Alex Song had a stint there.
9.
Alex Song later chose to represent Cameroon, his country of birth.
10.
Alex Song played as a centre-back but later made several appearances as a defensive midfielder.
11.
Alex Song was highly regarded in this position by numerous coaches and supporters of Bastia.
12.
Alex Song played in several UEFA Champions League matches and made several Premier League starts near the end of the season, when first team players were injured or being rested.
13.
Alex Song started at centre-back in Premier League matches towards the end of the season, most notably in Arsenal's crucial visit to Old Trafford against Manchester United, while regular starter Kolo Toure filled in for Bacary Sagna at right-back.
14.
Alex Song enjoyed his most productive and eye-catching campaign yet as he emerged as a forte and powerhouse of Arsenal's midfield being the perfect partner for Cesc Fabregas in Arsenal's centre.
15.
On 21 October 2008, Alex Song scored his first goal in European competition for Arsenal against Fenerbahce in the UEFA Champions League.
16.
Alex Song began the season well, playing in all but one of Arsenal's first 12 league games.
17.
On 25 November 2009, Alex Song signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal, lasting until 2014.
18.
In February 2011, Alex Song had his car impounded by Hertfordshire Police after he was caught speeding and failed to provide relevant documentation.
19.
Alex Song is one of the players who surprised everybody.
20.
Alex Song showed his assisting skills in the following matches: in an FA Cup match against Leeds United, Alex Song played a through ball past four Leeds players to the returning legend, Thierry Henry.
21.
Alex Song then provided two assists in back to back matches against Tottenham at home for Theo Walcott and the winning goal for Van Persie against Liverpool at Anfield with a delightful long-ball in the dying minutes of the match.
22.
Alex Song played an overhead pass to Theo Walcott and claimed an assist against Aston Villa on 24 March 2012.
23.
Alex Song was voted in second place as the Arsenal player of the season by the fans.
24.
Alex Song made his Barcelona debut against Real Madrid in the 2012 Supercopa de Espana on 29 August 2012 as a substitute for the last 15 minutes, finishing the match with a perfect passing statistic.
25.
On 30 August 2014, Alex Song joined West Ham United on a season-long loan.
26.
Alex Song was unveiled to the fans on the same day before their home game against Southampton.
27.
Alex Song played 31 games for West Ham including three in the FA Cup.
28.
On 1 August 2016, Alex Song officially joined the Russian side on a free transfer after his contract with Barcelona had been terminated.
29.
In January 2018, Alex Song trained with his old club Arsenal after being allowed to find a new club by Rubin, but was still registered with Rubin when the Russian Premier League continued on 2 March 2018 after their winter break.
30.
Alex Song was removed from their league registration list on 13 March 2018.
31.
Alex Song signed with Swiss Super League club Sion on a free transfer on 14 August 2018.
32.
In March 2020, Alex Song was one of nine players sacked by Sion for refusing to take a pay cut during the coronavirus pandemic.
33.
Alex Song was named in the Cameroon squad for the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations.
34.
Alex Song was nonetheless named in the Tournament Best XI, alongside compatriot Geremi.
35.
Alex Song was called up for the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations and was the only Cameroonian named in the Team of the Tournament.
36.
Alex Song was included in the Cameroon squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
37.
Alex Song participated in his second FIFA World Cup at the 2014 tournament in Brazil.
38.
Alex Song later apologized to Mandzukic, and to the people of Cameroon for being sent off.
39.
On 6 January 2015, Alex Song announced his international retirement, aged 27 and earning 49 caps, citing his wish to focus on rebuilding his domestic career with West Ham.