Leonel Ateba

Leonel Ateba (born 6 February 1999) is a Cameroonian professional footballer who plays as a forward for Al-Shorta in the Iraq Stars League and the Cameroon national team.^[1]

Leonel Ateba

Personal information
Full name	Christian Leonel Ateba Mbida
Date of birth	(1999-02-06) 6 February 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth	Douala, Cameroon
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Team information
Current team	Al-Shorta
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017	Fc Yaoundé II Formation
2018–2019	AS Etoa Méki
2019–2020	AS Fortuna de Mfou
2021–2022	Cotonsport Garoua
2022–2023	PWD Bamenda
2023	Dynamo Douala
2024	USM Alger	12	(1)
2024–2025	Simba S.C.
2025–	Al-Shorta
International career
2023–	Cameroon	1	(0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23 August 2025

Club career

USM Alger

On 31 January 2024, Dynamo Douala announced the transfer of Ateba to USM Alger for a period of two and a half years. The signing of the player cost 215,000 euros.^[2][3] On 16 February 2024, played Ateba the first match with his new club as a starter against USM Khenchela in the Ligue 1.^[4] On social networks information was released, reporting the threat of the Cameroonian club to file a complaint with FIFA against the USM Alger for not having received the transfer money. Legal advisor and expert in FIFA regulations gave explanations, the expert say that the payment must go through the FIFA Clearing House a new procedure established by the international body.^[5] Also stated that Leonel Ateba was under contract with his club and did not have to negotiate his transfer on his own. Moreover, he acknowledged his honor by negotiating his employment contract himself, without the need for an intermediary. The expert explained that USM Alger had obtained four mandates from the player's representatives, and for this reason the club preferred Negotiate directly with Dinamo Douala.^[5]

On 8 March 2024, Ateba scored a brace against MB Rouissat in the Algerian Cup where he played as a substitute in a match that ended 8–0.^[6]

International career

On 21 November 2023, Ateba played his first match with the Cameroon national team against Libya in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers.^[7] On 28 December 2023, Rigobert Song announced the list of 27 players for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations including Ateba.^[8]

Career statistics

Club

As of 14 June 2024^{[9][citation needed]}

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
USM Alger	2023–24	Ligue 1	12	1	4	2	4[a]	0	—		20	3
Career total			0	0	0	0	0	0	—		0	0

1. All appearance(s) in Confederation Cup

International

As of match played 3 March 2024

Appearances and goals by national team and year^[10]

National team	Year	Apps	Goals
Cameroon	2023	1	0
Total		1	0

As of match played^[10][9]

Scores and results list Cameroon's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ateba goal.

Honours

Coton Sport

• Elite One: 2020–21, 2021–22