Nouhou has been a fan-favorite for the Seattle Sounders virtually from the moment the exuberant defender made his MLS debut for the Rave Green in 2017.
The reasons for that are multiple: Now 25 years old, the Cameroon international first turned heads with his high-octane style of play and long bounding strides that allow him to reach breakneck speeds when he's off and running. Off the field, he's endeared himself to fans through his affable personality and famous love for chicken teriyaki.
On Saturday, he'll take his talents to the world stage once again as he gets set to help lead the Sounders' back line into their FIFA Club World Cup opener against Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly SC in Tangier, Morocco (9:00 a.m. PT; FOX 13+, FS2, FOX Deportes | .
"It's a dream come true,ā Nouhou told SoundersFC.com ahead of Saturdayās match. āThinking back to 2016 when I came to [then-USL Championship affiliate] S2, I was still young, no English [I knew] a little bit of Spanish because I took Spanish one year in Cameroon.
"Everything was just belief. Everybody believed in me, so I worked hard. Today I always remember the past. I always say itās incredible. It's not like magic, I just walk out and just believe in myself and now I'm just looking forward."
The FIFA Club World Cup appearance is the latest chapter in a meteoric rise for Nouhou, who first arrived to the club in 2016 knowing no English, fully unfamiliar with his new surroundings. Despite the off-field adaptation period, he was a standout on the field for Seattle Sounders 2 (now-Tacoma Defiance), leading the team in minutes, and allowing him to earn a First-Team role he's never relinquished.
Nouhou has been a Rave Green staple in the years since, locking down opposing attackers in MLS while also making waves on the international stage. After a memorable performance with Cameroon going toe-to-toe with Liverpool superstar Mo Salah in Africa Cup of Nations play, Nouhou made his FIFA World Cup debut for his country in Qatar.Ā
Although the Indomitable Lions didn't advance out of Group G, they did themselves proud at the sport's biggest event, tying a solid Serbia side 3-3 and taking a 1-0 victory over mighty Brazil in their final match.
"It was a really good experience for me, exciting to play in my first World Cup," Nouhou recalled of his stint in Qatar. "Amazing experience, the city was incredible, the people were so nice there. It was way more Muslim, so I feel like I was at home. So, it was a good experience, especially the food, the people that were there, yes, it was a very good World Cup.Ā
"...I was a little bit nervous because it was my first time at the World Cup. The last game was an amazing experience, especially against Brazil playing against big players."
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His experiences with Cameroon and in Concacaf Champions League have given Nouhou plenty of reps against international competition, with the FIFA Club World Cup representing his next opportunity.
Having already faced off against the likes of Salah and Neymar, a victory over Al Ahly would set up a Semifinals matchup against Spanish giants Real Madrid, arguably the top team on the planet at the moment, with a roster brimming with superstar attackers.
Should the opportunity arise, you certainly won't see Nouhou backing down.Ā
"For me, it's amazing, especially when the fans scream my name, when they always have love here [in Seattle]," he said. "So the most important thing in life is just our love. That's why for me sometimes when I'm about to go somewhere, if I go there, am I going to have the same love? Because the most important thing is to be happy.
"For me, I'm just happy to be here."
