Three minutes into his first Bundesliga appearance for Union Berlin, 27‑year‑old Emmanuel Latte Lath found the net, an instant burst of emotion.
A routine header versus Eintracht Frankfurt meant far more to Latte Lath – it capped a journey from Côte Ivoire to Italy at eight, and revived a stalled career.
He admits the slump was palpable. Forty‑eight games yielded eleven goals – respectable, yet he craved a louder statement, to prove his arrival mattered.
Memories of facing Lionel Messi still make him grin. “I felt like a kid meeting my hero,” he laughs, “and I even got to touch him.”
When asked about regrets, he warns against viewing his move as a blunder. “Remember why you started,” he says, noting that surrounding voices heavily shape choices.
His advice to his younger self? “Make your own decisions instead of letting others steer you,” he stresses.
After debuting with Atalanta, loan spells followed – notably 14 Serie A goals for St Gallen – but it was at Middlesbrough where he truly broke through, netting sixteen in his first Championship season.
What made Boro click? “It felt like a family,” he explains. “Leaving Italy, I found another one here, and they gave me the support to push forward.”
Michael Carrick oversaw all 29 of his Boro strikes, and in my view, his calm demeanor unlocked the striker’s best instincts.
Carrick now endures Manchester United’s pressure. Latte Lath believes his former boss will stay composed, recalling how the coach never lost his temper in tough moments.
He adds, “He broke down the situation, guided us step by step, and listened as much as he spoke.”
Opening up to a mental coach was initially uneasy. “I doubted him at first, but talking proved far more than a checklist,” he reflects.
The coach helped him understand his needs, both on the pitch and as a new father, turning the partnership into a vital life tool.
Bundesliga life with Union Berlin is a fresh challenge – new manager, system, everything. “It’s intense, relentless work with no time to pause,” he says, noting the debut goal set the tone for the club.
He’s already faced Leverkusen, Bayern and Dortmund. On meeting Harry Kane, he admits defeat stings, yet views football as a continuous learning journey.
As a striker he seeks to disrupt defenses, creating movement and pressure. “I act as the first defender, aiming to lead the charge,” he asserts.
The past year was tough, but he’s learned perseverance and leans on his circle. Will he help Union Berlin chase European spots next season?