View source for Rigobert Song

{{short description|Cameroonian footballer and manager (born 1976)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rigobert Song
| image = Rigobert Song 2008.jpg
| caption = Song with [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] in 2008
| full_name = Rigobert Song Bahanag
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|7|1|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Nkenglikok]], Cameroon
| height = 1.85 m<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.premierleague.com/players/1570/Rigobert-Song/overview |title=Rigobert Song: Overview |publisher=Premier League |access-date=1 December 2022}}</ref>
| position = [[Centre-back]]<ref>{{Hugman|18510|access-date=1 December 2022}}</ref>
| currentclub = 
| years1 = 1993–1998
| clubs1 = [[FC Metz|Metz]]
| caps1 = 123
| goals1 = 3
| years2 = 1998
| clubs2 = [[Salernitana Calcio 1919|Salernitana]]
| caps2 = 4
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 1999–2000
| clubs3 = [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
| caps3 = 34
| goals3 = 0
| years4 = 2000–2002
| clubs4 = [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
| caps4 = 24
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2001–2002
| clubs5 = → [[1. FC Köln]] (loan)
| caps5 = 16
| goals5 = 0
| years6 = 2002–2004
| clubs6 = [[RC Lens|Lens]]
| caps6 = 63
| goals6 = 3
| years7 = 2004–2008
| clubs7 = [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]]
| caps7 = 104
| goals7 = 4
| years8 = 2008–2010
| clubs8 = [[Trabzonspor]]
| caps8 = 46
| goals8 = 0
| totalcaps = 414
| totalgoals = 11
| nationalyears1 = 1993–2010
| nationalteam1 = [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]
| nationalcaps1 = 137
| nationalgoals1 = 5
| manageryears1 = 2016–2018
| managerclubs1 = [[Cameroon A national football team|Cameroon A]]
| manageryears2 = 2017–2018
| managerclubs2 = [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] (caretaker)
| manageryears3 = 2018–2022
| managerclubs3 = [[Cameroon national under-23 football team|Cameroon U23]]
| manageryears4 = 2022–2024
| managerclubs4 = [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]
| manageryears5 = 2025–
| managerclubs5 = [[Central African Republic national football team|Central African Republic]]
}}
'''Rigobert Song Bahanag''' (born 1 July 1976) is a Cameroonian former professional [[association football|footballer]] who is the manager of the [[Central African Republic national football team|Central African Republic national team]].

Known for his defensive skills, Song usually played as a [[centre-back]], but could also operate at [[right-back]]. Internationally, he played at a record eight [[Africa Cup of Nations]] tournaments and served as [[Captain (association football)|captain]] in five (the ones he was not captain for were [[1996 Africa Cup of Nations|South Africa 1996]], [[1998 Africa Cup of Nations|Burkina Faso 1998]] and [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations|Angola 2010]]), a record, and holds the record of most consecutive games played in the tournament with 35 first team games. He has won two CAF Africa Cup of Nations titles in 2000 and 2002. In 2009, Song was dropped as Cameroon skipper by new coach [[Paul Le Guen]], who eventually appointed [[Samuel Eto'o]] as the new captain, which later caused concerns, as Song had never been on the bench in more than eleven years for Cameroon.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cameroon hope to show claws |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/news/newsid=1215973/ |publisher=FIFA |date=22 May 2010 | access-date = 30 June 2010}}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> With 137 appearances, Song also holds the record of the most [[cap (football)|capped]] player in the history of the Cameroon national team and has played in four [[FIFA World Cup|World Cups]], in [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]] and [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Tottenham's Sébastien Bassong named in Cameroon's preliminary line-up |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/11/sebastien-bassong-cameroon-world-cup |work=The Guardian |date=11 May 2010 | access-date = 24 June 2010 |location=London}}</ref>

Song started his professional career with [[FC Metz|Metz]] and helped the club to win the [[Coupe de la Ligue]] in 1996. After appearing at the 1998 World Cup, he joined [[Salernitana Calcio 1919|Salernitana]], newly promoted to the top-flight Italian [[Serie A]]. In January 1999, he left Italy to start successive stints with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] and [[1. FC Köln]], but after failing to hold down a first-team place, he returned to France to play for [[RC Lens|Lens]]. He stayed there until 2004, before moving on to Turkey, where he spent four years with [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]], winning two [[Süper Lig]] titles and the [[Turkish Cup]]. Song then signed a contract with [[Trabzonspor]] in 2008, where he won another Turkish Cup and stayed until 2010.

Aside from [[Zinedine Zidane]], Song is the only player to have been sent off in two different World Cups, once against [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]] in 1994 and against [[Chile national football team|Chile]] in 1998.<ref>{{cite news |title=Golden oldies and thrilling comebacks |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=788848&cc=5739&ver=global |publisher=ESPN |date=20 May 2010 | access-date =26 June 2010 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100526030444/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=788848&cc=5739&ver=global | archive-date =26 May 2010 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> He also holds the record as youngest player ever to be sent off in a World Cup, aged 17.

Nicknamed "Big Chief" by Turkish fans,<ref>{{cite news |title=Rigobert Song: Cameroon star player at World Cup 2010 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/cameroon/6607225/Rigobert-Song-Cameroon-star-player-at-World-Cup-2010.html | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20091124003347/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2010/teams/cameroon/6607225/Rigobert-Song-Cameroon-star-player-at-World-Cup-2010.html | url-status =dead | archive-date =24 November 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=20 November 2009 | access-date = 22 June 2010 |location=London |first=Oliver |last=Brown}}</ref> he is the uncle of fellow Cameroon defensive midfielder [[Alex Song]] and of [[rugby league]] player [[Junior Nsemba]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Newsum |first1=Matt |title=Rising star Nsemba ready for Wigan's Wembley date |date=7 June 2024 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-league/articles/cqqq994l5vdo |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=7 June 2024}}</ref>

==Early life==
Rigobert Song Bahanag<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifaplus/en/member-associations/cameroon |title=Cameroonian Football Federation |publisher=FIFA |access-date=1 December 2022}}</ref> was born on 1 July 1976 in [[Nkenglikok]], Nyong-et-Kéllé.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/coaches/rigobert-song/4629/ |title=R. Song: Summary |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=1 December 2022}}</ref>

==Club career==
===Early years (1993–1998)===
Song started his professional career at [[FC Metz|Metz]]. He made several strong appearances that earned him a selection to ''The Indomitable Lions'' for the World Cup in 1994.

===Liverpool (1999–2000)===
Following his Italian experience with Serie A side [[U.S. Salernitana 1919|Salernitana]], Song moved to [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]] in January 1999 for £2.7 million.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ged's £128m spending – in full! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2004/may/24/newsstory.sport4 |work=The Guardian |date=24 May 2004 | access-date = 30 June 2010 |location=London}}</ref> Having been frozen out by the Italians, he made a good impression during a trial spell at Anfield. Before he arrived, Song already had the distinction of playing in two World Cups for his country.

The first Cameroonian player to play for the ''Reds'', Song made his League debut against [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] at [[Highfield Road]]. Early on he earned the support of Liverpool fans, who appreciated his strength, all-action style and effort. His natural position was [[centre-back]], but during his time at Anfield, Song operated at [[right-back]] and became a popular figure with Liverpool fans, who used to affectionately sing "We've only got one Song!" He had a mixed [[1999–2000 Liverpool F.C. season|1999–2000 campaign]], missing three months of the season, due to international matches with the ''Indomitable Lions'', captaining them to victory in the [[2000 African Nations Cup]], and scoring the decisive penalty in the final game against [[Nigeria national football team|Nigeria]].{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

Song was not able to find a spot in the starting eleven during the [[2000–01 Liverpool F.C. season|2000–01 season]], and played just four games. One of the games was a [[2000–01 UEFA Cup]] first round away game against [[FC Rapid București|Rapid București]].<ref name="UEFALiverpool">{{cite web |work=[[The Guardian]] |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2000/sep/14/uefa.sport3 |title=Rapid Bucharest 1 - 0 Liverpool |date=14 September 2020}}</ref> Liverpool eventually won the tournament, making Song a UEFA Cup winner. His last appearance for Liverpool was a 1–1 draw with [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]] at Anfield on 23 September 2000. He made a total of 38 appearances for the ''Reds''. He left Anfield to sign for [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] on 28 November 2000, in a deal that also saw Liverpool capture young Finnish striker [[Daniel Sjölund]].

===West Ham, 1. FC Köln and Lens (2000–2004)===
Song signed for West Ham for £2.5 million. The club identified the 24-year-old defender as a possible replacement for [[Rio Ferdinand]], who had signed for [[Leeds United F.C.|Leeds United]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Song completes Hammers move |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/w/west_ham_utd/1036838.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=28 November 2000 | access-date = 25 June 2010}}</ref> He made his West Ham debut on 29 November 2000 in the [[Football League Cup|League Cup]]. In a fourth-round game at The [[Boleyn Ground]], West Ham lost 1–2 to [[Sheffield Wednesday F.C.|Sheffield Wednesday]]. Song's debut was described by the [[BBC]] as "unhappy".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westhamstats.info/westham.php?west=5&ham=4236&united=29_Nov_2000 |title=Game played on 29 Nov 2000 |publisher=www.westhamstats.info | access-date=9 October 2016}}</ref> In his early days, Song insisted that he did not want to be compared to Ferdinand, as he believed it was derogatory to his own talent.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}} Over two seasons, he made 27 appearances for West Ham in all competitions without scoring, his final game coming on 29 September 2001; a 5–0 away defeat to [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in the [[Premier League]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.westhamstats.info/westham.php?west=2&ham=754&united=Rigobert_Song |title=Rigobert Song |publisher=www.westhamstats.info | access-date=9 October 2016}}</ref> In November 2001, he joined [[1. FC Köln]] on loan, for the remainder of the 2001–02 season. He left West Ham on 26 June 2002, joining [[RC Lens|Lens]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.11v11.com/players/rigobert-song-285/ |title=Rigobert Song |publisher=www.11v11.com | access-date=9 October 2016}}</ref>

===Galatasaray (2004–2008)===
[[File:Rigobert Song.jpg|thumb|upright|Song with [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] in 2008]]

Song then signed for [[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]] in 2004. He became an instant fan favourite, and formed a strong defensive partnership with [[Stjepan Tomas]] at the heart of defence.{{citation needed|date=October 2016}}

During the [[2006–07 Süper Lig|2006–07 season]], he struggled to find a place in the team, after an argument with then-Galatasaray manager [[Eric Gerets]] during a league game. Although Song apologized for the incident both publicly and privately, Gerets had no interest in letting bygones be bygones, and the player remained out of favour. With the arrival of new coach [[Karl-Heinz Feldkamp]] in the [[2007–08 Süper Lig|2007–08 season]], Song once again become a vital member of the squad, and the club's new captain. Upon his return from the African Cup of Nations with Cameroon, however, he found himself on the bench due to injury, with the emergence of [[Emre Güngör]] who partnered [[Servet Çetin]] at the heart of the defence in Galatasaray's run for their 16th league title. With a better offer to play elsewhere, Song decided to leave at the end of the 2007–08 season to sign for fellow [[Süper Lig]] club [[Trabzonspor]].

===Trabzonspor (2008–2010)===
Song joined the club on a free transfer. After a successful start to [[2008–09 Süper Lig|2008–09 season]], he became a fan-favorite in [[Trabzon]], playing 28 games in the league without accumulating any yellow or red cards, nor scoring any goals. After [[Ersun Yanal]] resigned as manager, however, Song lost his place in the starting lineup.<ref>{{cite web |title=Song eski günlerini arıyor |work=Mackolik.com |url=http://www.mackolik.com/Haber/82339/Song-Eski-Gunlerini-Ariyor |date=27 May 2009| access-date=10 September 2017 |language=tr}}</ref> Nonetheless, during the next season, he became Trabzonspor's new captain on 1 December 2009, after [[Şenol Güneş]] took over as the club's new manager.<ref>{{cite web |title=Trabzon'un yeni kaptanı Song |work=Ntvmsnbc.com |url=http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/25027317/| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904232506/http://www.ntvmsnbc.com/id/25027317/| url-status=dead| archive-date=4 September 2012 |date=4 December 2009| access-date=8 May 2010 |language=tr}}</ref> Trabzonspor would end up becoming the last club of his professional career.

==International career==
[[File:20060816 191713 0072 Football Guinee-Cameroun.JPG|thumb|upright|Song playing for [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] in 2006]]

Considered a key player for [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]] for over a decade, Song played in the [[1994 FIFA World Cup|1994]], [[1998 FIFA World Cup|1998]], [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]] and [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010]] [[FIFA World Cup|World Cup]]s.<ref>{{cite news |title=New low for Italy, long-playing Song |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/news/newsid=1257595/ |publisher=FIFA |date=24 June 2010 | access-date = 30 June 2010}}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> He made his international debut on 22 September 1993, in a game against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]].

At only 17 years old, Song was given a surprise call-up to [[Henri Michel]]'s Cameroon squad for the 1994 World Cup, playing two group matches in the finals against [[Sweden men's national football team|Sweden]] and [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]]. He received a [[Red card (sports)|red card]] in the match against Brazil, becoming the youngest player ever to be sent off in a World Cup. Led by veteran striker [[Roger Milla]], the ''Indomitable Lions'' were knocked out in the group stage. The 24 years and 42 days age gap between Milla (42 years and 35 days) and future captain Song (17 years and 358 days) became (and remains) the largest between two teammates in World Cup history.<ref>{{cite news |title=Roger Milla: Indomitable Lionheart |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=743643&cc=5739&ver=global |publisher=ESPN |date=19 February 2010 | access-date =26 June 2010 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100227131613/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story?id=743643&cc=5739&ver=global | archive-date =27 February 2010 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Song then participated at the 1998 World Cup. Led by Song, [[Patrick Mboma]] and 17-year old striker [[Samuel Eto'o]], Cameroon were eliminated in the group stage following a draw with [[Austria national football team|Austria]] (1–1), a loss to [[Italy national football team|Italy]] (3–0) and another draw with [[Chile national football team|Chile]]. After receiving a red card in the last game against ''La Roja'',<ref>[https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition=1013/results/matches/match=8760/report.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203191633/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/edition%3D1013/results/matches/match%3D8760/report.html|date=3 December 2013}}</ref> Song broke another record: he became the first player ever to be sent off at two different World Cups. [[Zinedine Zidane]], who was also sent off at this World Cup, has since achieved this feat as well, receiving his second red card in [[2006 FIFA World Cup Final|the final of the 2006 tournament]].

Song was a part of the Cameroon squads that won the [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]] and [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002 Africa Cup of Nations]]. After winning the 23rd edition of the football championship of Africa, the ''Indomitable Lions'' featured in the 2002 World Cup, but were again eliminated in the group stage following a 1–1 draw with the [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]], a 1–0 win over [[Saudi Arabia national football team|Saudi Arabia]] and a 2–0 defeat to [[Germany national football team|Germany]].

Song's next tournament was the [[2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003 Confederations Cup]]. The ''Indomitable Lions'' qualified for the semi-finals after wins against Brazil (0–1) and [[Turkey national football team|Turkey]] (1–0) and a draw with the United States. The defender then led his team against [[Colombia national football team|Colombia]] in the knockout stage. In the 72nd minute of the game, Song's long-time friend [[Marc-Vivien Foé]] collapsed in the centre circle, with no other players near him. Foé died the same day due to [[hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]], a hereditary condition known to increase the risk of sudden death during physical exercise. Cameroon eventually won the game 1–0, but lost to [[France national football team|France]] in the finals after extra time.

Although Cameroon did not manage to qualify for the [[2006 FIFA World Cup|2006 World Cup]] finals, the team participated in the [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations]]. In the tournament, Song became the most [[Cap (sport)|capped]] player in Cameroon history. After three wins over [[Angola national football team|Angola]] (3–1), [[Togo national football team|Togo]] (2–0) and [[Congo DR national football team|Congo DR]] (2–0) in the group stage, the ''Indomitable Lions'' were eliminated in the quarter-finals by [[Ivory Coast national football team|Ivory Coast]], following a 24-penalty shoot-out, in which Cameroon was defeated 12–11.

Song was also part of the Cameroon squad for the [[2008 Africa Cup of Nations]]. After a 4–2 loss to [[Egypt national football team|Egypt]] in the Group C opening match, the veteran defender led his team to wins against [[Zambia national football team|Zambia]] (5–1) and [[Sudan national football team|Sudan]] (3–0). In the first game against ''The Pharaohs'', Song's nephew [[Alex Song|Alex]] made his international debut for Cameroon, joining Rigobert on the pitch at half-time. The captain then carried the ''Indomitable Lions'' to the knockout stage, in which they defeated [[Tunisia national football team|Tunisia]] (2–3) and [[Ghana national football team|Ghana]] (0–1) before losing the final to  Egypt 1–0. The only goal, made by [[Mohamed Aboutrika]], came after a mistake by Song, who covered his face with his shirt during the opponent's celebration.<ref>{{cite news |title=Final and third place |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/7236614.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=10 February 2008 | access-date = 22 June 2010 |first=Steve |last=Vickers}}</ref>

On 31 May 2008, Song scored the first goal for Cameroon after nine minutes, in a 2–0 home win against [[Cape Verde national football team|Cape Verde]]. With the win, the ''Indomitable Lions'' took an early lead in Group 1 of the 2010 World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cameroon take Group 1 lead |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/7429401.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=31 May 2008 | access-date = 22 June 2010}}</ref>

In 2009, Song was dropped as captain of the Cameroonian national team, from the World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifiers by new coach [[Paul Le Guen]], but still remained the player that defined the image of the national team. Le Guen eventually appointed Samuel Eto'o as his new captain. On 12 August 2009, Cameroon's most-capped player was left out of the starting eleven for the first time in ten years in a friendly game against Austria.<ref>{{cite news |title=Song left out of Cameroon team |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8198197.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=12 August 2009 | access-date = 22 June 2010}}</ref> In 16 years with the national team, he has been to the African Nations Cup a record eight times, serving as captain in five competitions - except in South Africa in 1996, Burkina Faso in 1998 and Angola in 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cameroon omit defender Sébastien Bassong from squad |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/8427094.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=23 December 2009 | access-date = 22 June 2010}}</ref> Song holds the record of most consecutive games played in the African Nations Cup, with 35 first-team games. He won the Nations Cup twice in Nigeria 2000 and Mali 2002, losing to Egypt in the finals in Ghana 2008.

In 2010, Cameroon was featured in the [[2010 Africa Cup of Nations]], but failed to win the tournament. On 13 January 2010, the ''Lions'' lost in a 1–0 group-stage upset against [[Gabon national football team|Gabon]], but won a match against Zambia four days later, 3–2. Despite being considered an experienced player, some of Song's mistakes in the tournament were called "self-destructive": in the first game against Gabon, a defensive error allowed [[Daniel Cousin]]'s goal, and against Zambia in the second, he headed a cross towards his own goal.<ref>{{cite news |title=Africa Cup of Nations: Cameroon 0–1 Gabon – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/13/africa-cup-nations-cameroon-gabon-live |work=The Guardian |date=13 January 2010 | access-date = 24 June 2010 |location=London |first=Gregg |last=Roughley}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ahmed Hassan and Rigobert Song set for legacy-defining battle |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/jan/25/ahmed-hassan-rigobert-song-egypt-cameroon |work=The Guardian |date=25 January 2010 | access-date = 24 June 2010 |location=London |first=Jonathan |last=Wilson}}</ref> The team still qualified for the quarter-finals with four points, after a draw with Tunisia on 21 January, in which Song came in as a substitute. Two days later, Cameroon was eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations, following a 3–1 loss after extra time to Egypt. In the match, [[Aurélien Chedjou]] was preferred to Song, ending the former captain's run of 36 successive Africa Cup of Nations matches, a total of 3,201 minutes.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ahmed Hassan's controversial strike helps Egypt past sloppy Cameroon |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jan/25/egypt-cameroon-africa-cup-of-nations |work=The Guardian |date=25 January 2010 | access-date = 24 June 2010 |location=London |first=Jacob |last=Steinberg}}</ref> After such events, Song was relegated to a role as backup for a string of games, as Le Guen often preferred to field younger players such as [[Sébastien Bassong]] and [[Benoît Assou-Ekotto]].<ref name="Relegation">{{cite news |title=Veterans out as Spurs pair return for Cameroon |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/743077/ce/uk/?cc=5739&ver=global |publisher=ESPN |date=17 February 2010 | access-date =22 June 2010 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121021175424/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/743077/ce/uk/?cc=5739&ver=global | archive-date =21 October 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref>

Although he had handed the captain's armband over to Eto'o, Song was still selected for the [[2010 FIFA World Cup|2010 World Cup]] squad in South Africa,<ref>{{cite news |title=Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o named in World Cup squad despite threat to quit |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/may/29/cameroon-samuel-etoo-world-cup |work=The Guardian |date=29 May 2010 | access-date = 24 June 2010 |location=London}}</ref> making him the only player to play in the 1994 and 2010 World Cup finals. He was also the most experienced player to be featured in South Africa 2010, with 136 caps for his nation.<ref>{{cite news |title=The squads in numbers |url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/statistics/news/newsid=1223772/ |publisher=FIFA |date=4 June 2010 | access-date = 30 June 2010}}{{dead link|date=October 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

Song did not play in Cameroon's opening game of the World Cup against [[Japan national football team|Japan]].<ref name="Veterans">{{cite news |title=Cameroon old-timers unhappy with kids |url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/798322/ce/uk/?cc=5739&ver=global |publisher=ESPN |date=18 June 2010 | access-date =22 June 2010 | url-status =dead | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20121021170156/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/story/_/id/798322/ce/uk/?cc=5739&ver=global | archive-date =21 October 2012 |df=dmy-all}}</ref> The ''Samurai Blue'' won the game 1–0, with a goal from [[Keisuke Honda]].<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup 2010: Japan v Cameroon – as it happened |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/14/world-cup-2010-japan-cameroon-live |work=Guardian |date=14 June 2010 | access-date = 30 June 2010 |location=London |first=Scott |last=Murray}}</ref> After the match, Song and some senior players claimed that Cameroon's youngsters were not up to required standard, and asked Le Guen to reconsider his lineup for the next group match against [[Denmark national football team|Denmark]].<ref name="Veterans"/><ref>{{cite news |title=Pressure builds on Paul Le Guen as Cameroon prepare for Denmark |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2010/jun/19/paul-le-guen-cameroon |work=The Guardian |date=19 June 2010 | access-date = 22 June 2010 |location=London}}</ref> Song, however, was again omitted in the game with Denmark, which Cameroon lost 2–1. With the loss, they became the first team to be mathematically eliminated in the 2010 World Cup. The former captain eventually featured in the last game against the [[Netherlands national football team|Netherlands]], his fourth World Cup participation; he entered the match as a substitute for [[Nicolas N'Koulou]] in the 73rd minute of the second-half.<ref>{{cite news |title=World Cup 2010: Cameroon v Holland – as it happened! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/24/world-cup-2010-cameroon-holland |work=The Guardian |date=24 June 2010 | access-date = 24 June 2010 |location=London |first=Barry |last=Glendenning}}</ref> The ''Indomitable Lions'' went out of the tournament with a 1–2 loss and shortly after, on 1 August, Song retired from international duty after 137 total appearances.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/8875377.stm |title=Cameroon great Rigobert Song quits internationals |date=1 August 2010 |work=BBC Sport|access-date=17 August 2010}}</ref>

==Managerial career==
In late 2015, Song was reportedly close to becoming the manager of the Chad national team, but an agreement was never finalised.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/news/y=2015/m=12/news=warrior-chadians-keep-clawing-2747720.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151225045737/http://www.fifa.com/fifa-world-ranking/news/y=2015/m=12/news=warrior-chadians-keep-clawing-2747720.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=25 December 2015 |title=Warrior Chadians keep clawing |work=FIFA.com |date=24 December 2015}}</ref> In February 2016, Song was appointed as manager of the [[Cameroon A' national football team|Cameroon A' team]], which is composed of players based in Cameroon.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.africatopsports.com/2016/02/18/rigobert-song-nouveau-selectionneur-des-lions-indomptables-a/ |title=Rigobert Song: nouveau sélectionneur des Lions indomptables A' |work=AfricaTopSports.com |date=18 February 2016 |language=fr}}</ref> Following his hospitalisation for a [[brain aneurysm]] and subsequent recovery, Song resumed coaching duties in 2017, ahead of the [[2018 African Nations Championship qualification|qualification stage]] of the [[2018 African Nations Championship]].<ref name=bbcresume>{{cite news |title=Rigobert Song resumes coaching role with local Cameroon team |first=Leocadia |last=Bongben |work=BBC Sport |date=11 August 2017 | access-date = 9 July 2018 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40903357}}</ref> He led the team into the tournament, which saw Cameroon finish bottom of their group after two losses and a draw.<ref>{{Cite web |title='A lion never dies', vows Cameroon's Rigobert Song |first=Ed |last=Dove |publisher=ESPN |date=20 January 2018 | access-date = 8 July 2018 |url=http://www.espn.co.uk/football/cameroon/story/3353791/a-lion-never-diesvows-cameroon-coach-rigobert-song}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=African Nations Championship 2018 |first=Roberto |last=Di Maggio |website=Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation |date=1 March 2018 | access-date = 9 July 2018 |url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/2018anch.html}}</ref>

In April 2018, Song was one of 77 applicants for the vacant [[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon national team]] job.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43869356 |title=77 applicants for vacant Cameroon coaching position |date=23 April 2018|access-date=27 April 2018 |first=Oluwashina |last=Okeleji |work=BBC Sport}}</ref> He assumed the role on a [[Caretaker manager|caretaker]] basis later in the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sven-Goran Eriksson holds talks with Cameroon over coach's job |first=José Pablo |last=Díaz |work=AS |date=1 August 2018 |access-date=1 October 2018 |url=https://en.as.com/en/2018/08/01/football/1533142178_984205.html |archive-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105164705/https://en.as.com/en/2018/08/01/football/1533142178_984205.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On 17 October 2018, FECAFOOT announced that Song would take control of the [[Cameroon national under-23 football team|Cameroon under-23 team]] for the [[2019 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations]] campaign.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://fecafoot-officiel.com/decision-portant-nomination-des-membres-de-lencadrement-des-u23/ |title=DECISION PORTANT NOMINATION DES MEMBRES DE L'ENCADREMENT DES U23 |language=fr |work=fecafoot-officiel.com |date=18 October 2018}}></ref>

On 28 February 2022, it was announced that Song had replaced [[Toni Conceição]] as the manager of the Cameroon national team.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Rigobert-song-nouveau-selectionneur-du-cameroun/1319738 |title=Rigobert Song nouveau sélectionneur du Cameroun |newspaper=[[L'Équipe]] |language=fr |date=28 February 2022|access-date=28 February 2022}}</ref> He guided Cameroon to the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]], after beating [[Algeria national football team|Algeria]] in the final hurdle.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stunning last-minute goals send Cameroon to World Cup, Algeria from elation to tears |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/cameroon-algeria-late-goals-world-cup-qualifying-224614042.html |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=sports.yahoo.com |date=29 March 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref> At the 2022 FIFA World Cup, his Cameroon team failed to progress from the group stage, despite becoming the first manager to guide Cameroon to their first World Cup victory since [[2002 FIFA World Cup|2002]] against the mighty [[Brazil national football team|Brazil]], with a shock 1–0 win.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-12-02 |title=Cameroon 1-0 Brazil: Vincent Aboubakar strikes late to steal victory, but are knocked out of World Cup |url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/world-cup/2022/cameroon-1-0-brazil-vincent-aboubakar-strikes-late-to-steal-victory-but-are-knocked-out-of-world-cup_sto9248741/story.shtml |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=Eurosport |language=en}}</ref>

On 29 February 2024, he was dismissed from the job, following Cameroon's poor performance in the [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.africanews.com/2024/02/29/rigobert-song-steps-down-as-cameroon-national-team-coach/ | title=Rigobert Song steps down as Cameroon national team coach | date=29 February 2024 }}</ref>

He became the [[Central African Republic national football team]] manager in January 2025 ahead of the [[2024 African Nations Championship]] in August 2025.

==Outside football==
===Personal life===
Song's father, Paul Song, died when he was young. Song is married to Esther Song, and has four children (two sons and two daughters): Ronny Paul, Bryan, Yohanna Bernadette and Hillary Veronique Liliane. They currently live in Liverpool. Rigobert is also a national ambassador for Cameroon.<ref>{{cite news |title=Biography of Rigobert Song |url=http://www.africansuccess.org/visuFiche.php?id=132&lang=en |publisher=African Success |date=16 June 2008 | access-date =23 June 2010 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20100613012610/http://africansuccess.org/visuFiche.php?id=132&lang=en | archive-date =13 June 2010 | url-status =dead}}</ref>

He acquired [[French nationality law|French nationality]] by [[naturalization]] on 21 January 1999.<ref>{{Cite web |title=JORF n° 0019 du 23 janvier 1999 - Légifrance |url=https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/jorf/jo/1999/01/23/0019 |access-date=2023-11-06 |website=www.legifrance.gouv.fr}}</ref>

His nephew [[Alex Song]] played as a defensive midfielder for clubs in France, England, Spain, Russia, and Djibouti. About the relationship with Rigobert, Alex said: "I speak to him all the time and always call on him for advice. He's a good person to talk to because of his experience in England and I can ask him anything, depending on situations."<ref>{{cite news |title=Song sings uncle's praises |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/africa/6389891.stm |work=BBC Sport |date=23 February 2007 | access-date = 22 June 2010}}</ref>

===Illness===
On 3 October 2016, it was reported that Song had suffered a "cerebral attack", and was hospitalised in Cameroon. He was in a coma for two days, after having had a [[stroke]], with doctors planning to transfer him to a French hospital for further treatment.<ref>{{cite news |title=Cameroon legend Rigobert Song in hospital after 'cerebral attack' |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37535477 |work=BBC Sport |date=3 October 2016 | access-date =3 October 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/10/04/rigobert-song-former-liverpool-and-cameroon-man-out-of-coma-afte/ |title=Rigobert Song: Former Liverpool and Cameroon defender out of coma after stroke |work=The Guardian |date=4 October 2016 | access-date=6 October 2016 |last=Gibson |first=Sean}}</ref> He returned to Cameroon in April 2017, and resumed coaching duties later that year.<ref name=bbcresume/>

==Career statistics==
===Club===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition<ref>{{NFT player|id=1237|name=Rigobert Song|access-date=30 September 2011}}</ref>
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|National cup
!colspan="2"|League cup
!colspan="2"|Europe
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[FC Metz|Metz]]
|[[1994–95 French Division 1|1994–95]]
|[[Ligue 1|French Division 1]]
|24||2||2||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||27||2
|-
|[[1995–96 French Division 1|1995–96]]
|French Division 1
|37||0||0||0||4||0||colspan="2"|–||41||0
|-
|[[1996–97 French Division 1|1996–97]]
|French Division 1
|34||0||0||0||1||0||6{{efn|name=UC}}||1||41||1
|-
|[[1997–98 French Division 1|1997–98]]
|French Division 1
|28||1||1||0||0||0||4{{efn|name=UC}}||0||33||1
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!123!!3!!3!!0!!6!!0!!10!!1!!142!!4
|-
|[[Salernitana Calcio 1919|Salernitana]]
|[[1998–99 Serie A|1998–99]]
|[[Serie A]]
|4||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||6||1
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]]
|[[1998–99 Liverpool F.C. season|1998–99]]
|[[Premier League]]
|13||0||0||0||0||0||colspan="2"|–||13||0
|-
|[[1999–2000 Liverpool F.C. season|1999–2000]]
|Premier League
|18||0||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||21||0
|-
|[[2000–01 Liverpool F.C. season|2000–01]]
|Premier League
|3||0||0||0||0||0||1{{efn|name=UC|Appearance(s) in [[UEFA Cup]]}}||0||4||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!34!!0!!1!!0!!2!!0!!1!!0!!38!!0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]]
|[[2000–01 West Ham United F.C. season|2000–01]]
|Premier League
|19||0||1||0||2||0||colspan="2"|–||22||0
|-
|[[2001–02 West Ham United F.C. season|2001–02]]
|Premier League
|5||0||0||0||1||0||colspan="2"|–||6||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!24!!0!!1!!0!!3!!0!!colspan="2"|–!!28!!0
|-
|[[1. FC Köln]]
|[[2001–02 Bundesliga|2001–02]]
|[[Bundesliga]]
|16||0||3||1||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||19||1
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[RC Lens|Lens]]
|[[2002–03 Ligue 1|2002–03]]
|[[Ligue 1]]
|35||3||1||0||1||0||8{{efn|Six appearances in [[UEFA Champions League]], two appearances and one goal in UEFA Cup}}||1||45||4
|-
|[[2003–04 Ligue 1|2003–04]]
|Ligue 1
|28||0||0||0||3||0||4{{efn|name=UC}}||0||35||0
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!63!!3!!1!!0!!4!!0!!12!!1!!78!!4
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Galatasaray S.K. (football)|Galatasaray]]
|[[2004–05 Galatasaray S.K. season|2004–05]]
|[[Süper Lig]]
|28||2||4||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||36||2
|-
|[[2005–06 Galatasaray S.K. season|2005–06]]
|Süper Lig
|29||1||2||0||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|name=UC}}||0||33||1
|-
|[[2006–07 Galatasaray S.K. season|2006–07]]
|Süper Lig
|25||1||2||0||1{{efn|Appearance in [[Turkish Super Cup]]}}||0||7{{efn|Appearances in UEFA Champions League}}||0||35||1
|-
|[[2007–08 Galatasaray S.K. season|2007–08]]
|Süper Lig
|22||0||2||1||colspan="2"|–||8{{efn|name=UC}}||1||32||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!104!!4!!10!!1!!1!!0!!17!!1!!132!!6
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Trabzonspor]]
|[[2008–09 Süper Lig|2008–09]]
|Süper Lig
|28||0||3||0||colspan="2"|–||colspan="2"|–||31||0
|-
|[[2009–10 Süper Lig|2009–10]]
|Süper Lig
|18||0||5||1||colspan="2"|–||2{{efn|Appearances in [[UEFA Europa League]]}}||1||23||2
|-
!colspan="2"|Total
!46!!0!!8!!1!!colspan="2"|–!!2!!1!!56!!2
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!414!!11!!29!!3!!16!!0!!42!!4!!501!!18
|}
{{notelist}}

===International===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+Appearances and goals by national team and year<ref name="nft">{{NFT|1237}}</ref>
!National team
!Year
!Apps
!Goals
|-
| rowspan="18" |[[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]
|1993
|1
|0
|-
|1994
|4
|1
|-
|1995
|2
|0
|-
|1996
|5
|0
|-
|1997
|7
|0
|-
|1998
|12
|1
|-
|1999
|3
|1
|-
|2000
|11
|0
|-
|2001
|10
|0
|-
|2002
|15
|0
|-
|2003
|7
|0
|-
|2004
|11
|1
|-
|2005
|6
|1
|-
|2006
|7
|0
|-
|2007
|6
|0
|-
|2008
|12
|0
|-
|2009
|6
|0
|-
|2010
|4
|0
|-
! colspan="2" |Total
!129
!5
|}

:Source:<ref>[https://www.rsssf.org/miscellaneous/rsong-intl.html RSSSF.com]</ref>
'''List of international goals scored by Rigobert Song'''
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! # !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
|-
| 1 || 28 January 1998 || [[Roumdé Adjia Stadium]], [[Garoua]], Cameroon || {{fb|ANG}} || 1–0 || Win || [[Friendly match]]
|-
| 2 || 6 June 1999 || [[Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo]], [[Yaoundé]], Cameroon || {{fb|ERI}} || 1–0 || Win || [[2000 African Cup of Nations qualification|2000 African Cup qualifying]]
|-
| 3 || 6 June 2004 || Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon || {{fb|BEN}} || 2–1 || Win || [[2006 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|2006 World Cup qualifying]]
|-
| 4 || 4 June 2005 || [[Stade de l'Amitié]], [[Cotonou]], Benin || {{fb|BEN}} || 1–4 || Win || 2006 World Cup qualifying
|-
| 5 || 31 May 2008 || Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, Yaoundé, Cameroon || {{fb|Cape Verde}} || 2–0 || Win || [[2010 FIFA World Cup qualification (CAF)|2010 World Cup qualifying]]
|}

===Managerial===
{{updated|matches played 27 January 2024}}<ref>{{soccerway coach|aliou-cisse/229209}}</ref>

{| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From
!rowspan=2|To
!colspan=5|Record
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[Cameroon national under-23 football team|Cameroon U23]]
|align=left|23 October 2018
|align=left|17 July 2022
{{WDL|3|1|1|1|decimals=2}}
|-
|align=left|[[Cameroon national football team|Cameroon]]
|align=left|1 March 2022
|align=left|28 February 2024
{{WDL|23|6|8|9|decimals=2}}
|-
!colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|31|9|11|11|decimals=2}}
|}

==Honours==
'''Metz'''
* [[Coupe de la Ligue]]: [[1996 Coupe de la Ligue Final|1995–96]]

'''Liverpool'''
* [[UEFA Cup]]: [[2000–01 UEFA Cup|2000–01]]<ref name="UEFALiverpool" />

'''Galatasaray'''<ref name="soccerway">{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/coaches/rigobert-song/4629/|title=R. SONG – profile – Soccerway.com}}</ref>
* [[Süper Lig]]: [[2005–06 Süper Lig|2005–06]], [[2007–08 Süper Lig|2007–08]]
* [[Turkish Cup]]: [[2005 Turkish Cup Final|2004–05]]

'''Trabzonspor'''<ref name="soccerway" />
* Turkish Cup: [[2010 Turkish Cup Final|2009–10]]

'''Cameroon'''<ref name="soccerway" />
* [[African Cup of Nations]]: [[2000 African Cup of Nations|2000]], [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]]; runner-up: [[2008 African Cup of Nations|2008]]
* [[Confederations Cup]] runner-up: [[2003 FIFA Confederations Cup|2003]]

'''Individual'''

* [[Africa Cup of Nations records and statistics#General statistics by tournament|Africa Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament]]: [[2002 African Cup of Nations|2002]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Steve |date=20 June 2019 |title=What happened next? Every Afcon Player of the Tournament winner since 2000 |url=https://www.squawka.com/en/afcon-player-of-the-tournament-winners/ |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Squawka}}</ref>
* Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: [[2000 African Cup of Nations#CAF Team of the Tournament|2000]], [[2002 African Cup of Nations#CAF Team of the Tournament|2002]], [[2006 Africa Cup of Nations#CAF Team of the Tournament|2006]]
* [[National Union of Professional Footballers|UNFP]] Ligue 1 [[Trophées UNFP du football#Team of the Year|Team of the Year]]: 1997–98<ref>VII OSCARS UNFP – Simone, Trezeguet, Pédron and Fontaine honored in France Football, n°2718, May 12, 1998, page 20.</ref>
* [[International Federation of Football History & Statistics|IFFHS]] All-time Africa Men's Dream Team: 2021<ref>{{cite web |date=29 May 2021 |title=IFFHS |url=https://www.iffhs.com/posts/1121 |access-date=31 May 2021 |publisher=IFFHS}}</ref>
* [[CAF Awards#CAF Legends award|CAF Legends Award]]: 2012<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 December 2012 |title=Yaya Toure crowned 2012 African Footballer of the Year |url=https://www.myjoyonline.com/yaya-toure-crowned-2012-african-footballer-of-the-year/ |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=My Joy Online |language=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=20 December 2012 |title=Toure named 2012 African player of year |url=https://www.ghanafa.org/toure-named-2012-african-player-of-year |access-date=2 December 2022 |website=Toure named 2012 African player of year |language=en}}</ref>

'''Orders'''
* [[File:Ordre_de_la_Valeur_(Cameroun)_Chevalier_2nd_type_ribbon.svg|60x60px]] Knight of the [[Order of Valour]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cameroun: Rigobert Song, nouveau sélectionneur des Lions indomptables |url=https://www.afrique-sur7.ci/484912-cameroun-rigobert-song-lions |access-date=2022-12-02 |website=afrique-sur7.ci |date=March 2022 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Rigobert Song |title=Awin |url=https://awin68a.fun/ |access-date=13 September 2023}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of men's footballers with 100 or more international caps]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* {{NFT player|1237}}
* {{Cite web |url=http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/past-players/rigobert-song |title=Rigobert Song profile at the Liverpool website |access-date=23 June 2010 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130419015640/http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/history/past-players/rigobert-song |archive-date=19 April 2013 |url-status=bot: unknown}}
* {{FIFA|170657}}
* {{WorldFootball.net|rigobert-song}}

{{Current managers of CAF national teams}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Cameroon squads
| bg = #007A5E
| fg = #FCD116
| bordercolor = #CE1126
| list1 = 
{{Cameroon squad 1994 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 1996 African Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 1998 African Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 1998 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 2000 African Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 2002 African Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 2002 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 2004 African Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 2006 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 2008 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 2010 Africa Cup of Nations}}
{{Cameroon squad 2010 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}
{{Cameroon squad 2023 Africa Cup of Nations}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list =
{{Africa Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament}}
{{2000 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament}}
{{2002 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament}}
{{2006 Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament}}
}}
{{Cameroon national football team managers}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Song, Rigobert}}
[[Category:1976 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Centre Region (Cameroon)]]
[[Category:1994 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1998 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2001 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2002 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:2003 FIFA Confederations Cup players]]
[[Category:2010 FIFA World Cup players]]
[[Category:1996 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:1998 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2000 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2002 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2004 African Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2006 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2008 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:2010 Africa Cup of Nations players]]
[[Category:Cameroon men's under-20 international footballers]]
[[Category:Cameroon men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate men's footballers]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in France]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Germany]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Italy]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in England]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Turkey]]
[[Category:Cameroonian men's footballers]]
[[Category:Naturalized citizens of France]]
[[Category:French men's footballers]]
[[Category:Cameroonian football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Equatorial Guinea]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in France]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Germany]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy]]
[[Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Turkey]]
[[Category:1. FC Köln players]]
[[Category:FC Metz players]]
[[Category:FIFA Men's Century Club]]
[[Category:Men's association football defenders]]
[[Category:Galatasaray S.K. footballers]]
[[Category:Trabzonspor footballers]]
[[Category:Liverpool F.C. players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:RC Lens players]]
[[Category:US Salernitana 1919 players]]
[[Category:West Ham United F.C. players]]
[[Category:Ligue 1 players]]
[[Category:Serie A players]]
[[Category:Süper Lig players]]
[[Category:Bundesliga players]]
[[Category:The Panthers FC players]]
[[Category:UEFA Europa League–winning players]]
[[Category:Cameroonian expatriate sportspeople in Equatorial Guinea]]
[[Category:Cameroon national football team managers]]
[[Category:2022 FIFA World Cup managers]]
[[Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations managers]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Valour]]
[[Category:Association football people awarded knighthoods]]
[[Category:20th-century French sportsmen]]