‘We Thought Dessers Would Become A Lawyer’ –Mom, Brother Speak

Cyriel Dessers mother, Mama Sophie Bakry and brother, Emile have revealed that they both thought the Belgian-born Nigerian attacker would become a lawyer.

Dessers rather than go into the law profession has chosen a different path for himself – professional football, which has seen him become one of the most prolific goal-scorers across Europe.

The 25-year-old attacking sensation finished as joint top-scorer of the Dutch Eredivisie with 15 goals in 25 appearances for Heracles Almelo during the 2019/20 season.

Dessers’ consistent goal-scoring run of form eventually saw him making a move to Belgian First Division A club, KRC Genk where Paul Onuachu and Steven Odey also play.

His mother who is a 49-year-old ex-flight attendant at Brussels Airlines and 19-year-old brother who studies Business Administration in Brussels spoke to Het Laaste Nieuws.

Cyriel Dessers brother, Emile and mother, Mama Sophie Backry. Credit: Gregory Van Gansen / Photo News

“The family had wanted him to be a lawyer and not the professional footballer he has turned out to be,” mom and younger brother who are the striker’s biggest fans said.

Emile believes his big brother will score lots of goals for Genk on his return to Belgium.

“If you just let Cyriel play for a whole season, he will score enough goals anyway,” he enthused.

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“I am sure of that, I have watched many of his matches. I also don’t know if what I am saying is exactly right but I just have that feeling. Leave Cyriel and it will be fine.”

Dessers is set to realize his dream of playing for Nigeria, having switched international allegiance and provides an intriguing competition for Napoli ace, Victor Osimhen.

Born to a Belgian father and Nigerian mother, Dessers made the squad for the 2021 African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sierra Leone that was postponed due to Covid-19 pandemic.

By Oluyemi Ogunseyin