For Karl Etta Eyong, the journey from Cameroon to Spain’s topflight has been nothing short of transformative. The Levante UD forward, now a finalist for the LaLiga EA Sports Africa MVP Award, has carved out his place in LaLiga with resilience, adaptability, and a flair that has caught the eye across continents.
Eyong admits the transition wasn’t seamless. “I had to change from midfielder to striker,” he explained, reflecting on the tactical shift that unlocked his potential. That positional switch gave him the platform to showcase versatility and sharpen his instincts in front of goal. His breakthrough tally of seven goals and four assists in his debut season is proof of his rapid growth, even as Levante battles relegation.
For Eyong, the magic of LaLiga lies in the moments that feel surreal. “I remember playing against Real Madrid and I felt like a child on the inside,” he said, describing the thrill of facing giants of the game. Those encounters, he insists, are the essence of his dream — the kind of experiences that fuel his hunger to stay at the highest level.
MVP RIVALRIES AND RESPECT
When asked about his biggest threat in the MVP race, Eyong was quick to point to Villarreal’s Nicolas Pépé. “He is a great player,” Eyong acknowledged. The numbers back him up: Pépé’s eight goals and seven assists across so far were decisive in keeping Villarreal in Champions League contention.
The nomination, Eyong believes, is bigger than himself. It’s a symbol of African talent thriving in Europe’s elite leagues. His vote of confidence for Senegal at the 2026 FIFA World Cup underscores his belief in the continent’s rising football power.
Whether 15th-placed Levante survives the drop or not, his rise has already marked him as one of Africa’s brightest lights in LaLiga.