Carlos Baleba Biography: Parents, Age, Net Worth, Salary, Girlfriend, Height, Brother, Stats

Biography

Carlos Baleba is a talented Cameroonian professional footballer born on January 3, 2004, in Douala, Cameroon.

Standing at 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) and left-footed, he plays primarily as a defensive or central midfielder. He began his youth career in Cameroon at academies like EF Brasseries du Cameroun, initially shining as a winger before transitioning to midfield.

In January 2022, he moved to French club Lille OSC, where he quickly progressed to the first team. In August 2023, Baleba joined Premier League side Brighton & Hove Albion, signing a long-term contract (with an option for extension).

He has since established himself as a key player, known for his ball-winning ability, energy, technical skill, intelligence, and work rate—earning praise as one of the league’s standout young midfielders.

Internationally, he represents the Cameroon national team (the Indomitable Lions), where he has become a vital part of their midfield, especially during competitions such as the Africa Cup of Nations.

Cameroonian footballer
Carlos Baleba
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba
Stage Name:	Carlos Baleba
Born:	3 January 2004 (age 22 years old)
Place of Birth:	Douala, Cameroon
Nationality:	Cameroonian
Education:	École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy
Height:	1.79 m
Parents:	Eugene Baleba, Yaka Lydie Rose
Siblings:	Bediang Baleba
Spouse:	Not Married
Girlfriend • Partner:	Not Dating
Children:	N/A
Occupation:	Footballer
Net Worth:	$1 million-$2 million (USD)

Early Life & Education

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba was born on January 3, 2004, in Douala, Cameroon, the country’s largest city and economic hub.

He grew up in the bustling Akwa neighborhood under modest circumstances, living in a simple plank-built hut with his family amid truck tyres right outside their door. From a young age, he played football on local streets, often kicking plastic bottles or makeshift balls, which helped build his early skills in a challenging environment.

He is of Bassa ethnic descent, a prominent group in Cameroon, and holds dual Cameroonian-French citizenship through his parents. He comes from a Christian family background, though he keeps his personal beliefs private.

His father, Eugene Baleba, is a former professional footballer who played as a striker in Cameroon and South Africa. Eugene heavily influenced Carlos‘s career by implementing a strict training regime starting around age 10, incorporating agility drills, acrobatics, and gymnastics to improve timing, coordination, and overall athleticism.

His mother, Yaka Lydie Rose (born September 24, 1974), provided strong emotional support and encouragement for his rigorous training and football dreams. She accompanied him to France during his early professional steps with Lille, but tragically passed away after a brief illness shortly afterward, around 2023, just before his major move to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Baleba has deeply honored her memory, including by choosing jersey number 24 for Cameroon in tribute to her birth date, and he fulfilled a childhood promise to her by building a house in Douala. He has a younger brother, Bediang Baleba, who is also pursuing a football career as a striker and has been on trial with clubs such as Newcastle United.

His life shifted early toward intensive football training under his father’s guidance rather than traditional schooling. By age 13, he had joined the prestigious École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy after starting at local clubs like Futur Soccer FC, where his focus on the sport accelerated his development from street games to organized youth football.

Career

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba started playing football in Cameroon with Futur Soccer FC in Douala. He played as a right winger and was known for his dribbling skills, earning the nickname “Maradona” from his teammates.

At 13, he joined the École de Football des Brasseries du Cameroun academy, where he developed quickly and attracted the attention of European clubs. In January 2022, when he was 18, Baleba moved to Lille OSC in France.

He first played for Lille B in the Championnat National 3, making 13 appearances and scoring once. He soon moved up to the senior team and made his professional debut on August 7, 2022, coming on as a substitute in a 4-1 Ligue 1 win over Auxerre under coach Paulo Fonseca.

During the 2022-23 season, he played 21 times for Lille’s first team in all competitions, mainly in Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France, and showed promise as a dynamic, left-footed midfielder, even though he did not start many games.

In August 2023, Brighton & Hove Albion signed him for about £23.2 million (around €27 million), and he agreed to a five-year contract until June 2028, with an option for another year. This move fits Brighton’s focus on signing young African players.

Baleba adjusted well to the Premier League and made his debut soon after joining. By early 2026, he had played over 90 games for Brighton in all competitions, including about 79 or 80 in the Premier League, scoring three or four goals and providing assists.

He also played in European competitions like the UEFA Europa League. His strong tackling, forward passing, high work rate, and energy across the pitch made him an important player for managers Roberto De Zerbi and, later, Fabian Hürzeler.

His market value has risen to about €60 million, and top clubs have shown interest, but Brighton values him highly. On the international stage, Baleba made his debut for Cameroon on June 8, 2024, in a 4-1 World Cup qualifier against Cape Verde at the Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium.

He had earned about 15 or 16 caps, with no goals but one assist, playing in World Cup qualifiers, Africa Cup of Nations matches, and friendlies.

Transfer

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba has attracted significant transfer interest since joining Brighton & Hove Albion from Lille OSC in August 2023 for an initial fee of around £23.2 million (plus add-ons up to €3 million, with Lille holding a 15% sell-on clause).

His strong performances as a dynamic central midfielder have seen his market value rise to approximately €60 million (Transfermarkt, as of late 2025), positioning him as a prime target for bigger clubs.

Manchester United have been heavily linked with Baleba, particularly as a potential replacement for aging or departing midfielders like Casemiro.

Links intensified in the summer of 2025, when United reportedly held exploratory talks with Brighton and even agreed personal terms with the player, who has expressed enthusiasm for a move to Old Trafford—some reports suggest he views it as a dream step and has privately indicated a preference to join, partly due to ties with Cameroon teammate Bryan Mbeumo (already at United in some contexts).

However, Brighton’s high valuation—around £100-115 million (potentially a club-record fee for United, surpassing Paul Pogba‘s £89 million)—deterred a deal at the time, with no transfer materializing despite interest persisting into the January 2026 window.

United explored conditions for a possible January move, but Brighton remained firm in its stance on retaining him until at least the summer, when a deal is considered more likely amid plans for a midfield overhaul under INEOS. Reports indicate United are growing confident of securing him in the upcoming summer window for around £100 million, viewing him as a key priority among targets like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

Baleba himself has addressed speculation positively in the past, downplaying any negative impact on his form while remaining focused at Brighton. Other clubs, including Chelsea (who previously paid big for Moises Caicedo from Brighton), have shown interest, but Manchester United appear to hold a strong position due to the player’s reported eagerness.

As of February 2026, no transfer has been completed, and any future move would likely command a substantial fee given his youth, potential, and contract until 2028 (with extension option).

Social Media

• Wikipedia: Carlos Baleba
• Instagram: Carlos Baleba (@carlos_baleba)

Personal Life

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba, born on January 3, 2004, is currently 22 years old. He stands at 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) tall and is left-footed.

Balebais is not married, has never been married, and has no children. No credible reports or public statements mention a wife, girlfriend, or any dating history.

Like many young professional athletes, he appears to keep his focus primarily on football and family, rarely sharing details beyond his close ties to his father, late mother, and younger brother.

Any claims about his relationships circulating on social media or unverified sources remain unsubstantiated and should be treated with caution.

Net Worth

Carlos Noom Quomah Baleba‘s net worth is estimated at $1 million to $2 million. This figure primarily stems from his earnings as a professional footballer, including salaries, bonuses, and potential endorsements, though he remains relatively modest in profile compared to top-tier stars.

His wealth is still growing as his career trajectory in the Premier League continues to rise. His current salary at Brighton & Hove Albion is reported to be approximately £650,000 per year (around £12,500 per week gross), based on reliable sources such as Capology and Spotrac, excluding performance-related bonuses.

This reflects his 2023 long-term contract (until June 2028, with an option for an extra year), signed after his high-profile transfer. Regarding transfers:

• In August 2023, Brighton signed Baleba from Lille OSC for an initial fee of around £23.2 million (approximately €27 million), plus up to €3 million in add-ons, with Lille retaining a 15% sell-on clause for any future sale.
• His current market value stands at €60 million (per Transfermarkt, last updated December 2025), reflecting his strong performances and potential, which have sparked interest from bigger clubs despite Brighton’s firm stance on high valuations.

As a young talent with growing international recognition, Baleba‘s financial standing is expected to rise significantly with continued success, potential new deals, or a future big-money move.

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