Yaounde-born Breel Embolo is on a mission at 2018 World Cup

by Brian Lee

Sunday Jul 01, 2018. 15:30

Cameroon-born striker Breel Embolo is eager to help Switzerland reach the 2018 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals in Russia.

The young striker featured in all three of Die Nati's three Group E matches against Brazil, Serbia and Costa Rica.

Embolo has discussed his love for Switzerland ahead of Die Nati's Round of 16 encounter with Sweden at the Krestovsky Stadium on Tuesday.

"The national team and Switzerland mean everything to me," the 21-year-old said in an interview with FIFA.com.

"I came to the country from Cameroon when I was five and all my schooling and football education has been here.

"Switzerland welcomed 'Breel' when he was just 'Breel' and turned him into Breel Embolo."

The promising forward, who is on the books of German side Schalke 04, also discussed his relationship with Die Nati fans.

"It's wonderful to have such great fans that are always behind us and give us so much," he said.

"That's something that characterises Switzerland, that positivity and togetherness. We have to keep going like that because it's the only way to achieve anything."

Embolo, who is yet to score in the tournament, says Switzerland have improved since losing to Poland in the 2016 UEFA European Championship Round of 16.

"Yes, Sweden are a strong team," continued Embolo, who was born in Cameroon's capital city, Yaounde.

"But we'll be very well prepared. We'll give it our all to get to the quarter-finals. Two years ago, we lost to Poland in the last 16 at the European Championship.

"We learned from that. The fact we've been able to come from behind twice here in Russia shows we're ready for more."