Meet Carlos Baleba’s Parents: Eugene Baleba and Yaka Lydie Rose

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba is a gifted Cameroonian midfielder making his mark at Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League while also representing the Cameroon national team.

Born on January 4, 2004, in Douala, Cameroon, he is 22 years old. Raised in modest circumstances in the Akwa neighborhood of Douala, Baleba developed a deep love for football at a young age, a passion that would shape his future.

Of Bassa ethnic heritage, Baleba holds dual Cameroonian and French citizenship through his Cameroonian-French parents. His upbringing was strongly influenced by family.

His father, Eugene Baleba, a former professional striker who played in Cameroon and South Africa, was instrumental in his early development, introducing him to disciplined training and demanding physical routines.

His mother, reportedly named Yaka Lydie Rose, provided steady emotional support before her passing around 2023–2024, a loss that profoundly affected him during the period surrounding his move to Europe.

Baleba has a younger brother, Bediang Baleba, who has also pursued a football career as a striker and has been on trial with clubs including Newcastle United. Standing at 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in), he is believed to be Christian based on public expressions of faith.

He is unmarried, has no known children, and there is no public information on a wife, marriages, or dating history.

Eugene Baleba

Eugene Baleba is Carlos Baleba‘s father and a former professional footballer himself. He played as a striker in leagues across Cameroon and South Africa, and even made a brief attempt to break into European football, reportedly trialing with or being associated with clubs like Saint-Étienne in France.

Although Eugene‘s own playing career was brief at the elite level, his love for the sport deeply inspired his son. From around age 10, Eugene implemented a rigorous, disciplined training regimen that helped forge the young player’s exceptional physical attributes and mentality.

This included intense sessions such as two hours of non-stop running, agility drills involving sprinting between truck tires, and even lessons in acrobatics to improve timing and coordination—elements that now show in Carlos‘s dynamic style on the pitch and his signature back-flip celebrations.

Eugene also served as a coach and mentor, turning everyday environments into training grounds and instilling values of hard work and perseverance. Carlos has frequently credited his father for his strong work ethic and footballing foundation, often highlighting how Eugene‘s guidance turned potential into professional reality.

Yaka Lydie Rose

Yaka Lydie Rose, Carlos Baleba‘s mother, was a key source of emotional support and stability during his early years growing up in challenging conditions in Douala. Though less is publicly detailed about her personal background or profession, she formed part of the close-knit family unit alongside Eugene and Carlos (and his younger brother, who is also pursuing football).

She helped nurture Carlos in a modest home environment, where resilience was essential. Tragically, Yaka Lydie Rose passed away shortly before Carlos‘s major move from Lille to Brighton in 2022–2023, an event that deeply affected him during his adaptation to life in England and the Premier League.

In interviews, Carlos has spoken movingly about the grief, noting how he played with her memory in his mind and dedicated performances to her. He has described the pain of not having her witness his successes in Europe, yet he vowed to honor her by striving to be the best version of himself.

Her loss added emotional depth to his drive, and Carlos has said he plays for his mum, his dad, and his brother, keeping her spirit as a constant motivation.

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