Who are William Saliba’s parents, and where are they from?

Who are William Saliba’s parents, and where are they from?

Helix Odhiambo
updated at December 15, 2023 at 2:06 PM
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William Saliba has emerged as one of the top Premier League centre-backs of the current generation. The Arsenal defender has provided invaluable defensive cover, strengthening the Gunners' back line. He was born in France but has a mixed heritage. So, are William Saliba's parents still alive? Where are they from?

William Saliba's parents
William Saliba of Arsenal passes the ball during the UEFA Champions League Group B match against PSV at the Phillips Stadion on 12 December 2023 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. Photo: Rene Nijhuis
Source: Getty Images

Saliba's rise has made him famous, with many keen to know his background and life away from football. He is a hard-working and dedicated player with massive potential to become one of the best centre-backs. This article has all you need to know about the parents of William Saliba and other fascinating things about him.

Who are William Saliba's parents?

The top-rated Arsenal defender was born on 24 March 2001 in Paris, France. His full name is William Alain André Gabriel Saliba. Where is William Saliba originally from?

The centre-back is a French citizen who grew up in Bondy, Seine-Saint-Denis. He hails from a middle-class family of different ethnic backgrounds.

William Saliba's parents' names

According to sources, the footballer's father was Brian Robertson, while his mother's name remains undisclosed. William Saliba's parents' ages and careers are also unknown.

William Saliba's parents' nationality

Where are William Saliba's parents from? His father is of Lebanese descent, and his mother is of Cameroonian origin. They supported their kid by enrolling him in an academy at a young age to nurture his skills.

In May 2023, the defender visited his mother's homeland, Cameroon, where he enjoyed his break after sustaining a back injury against Sporting CP. The injury kept him out for the rest of the 2022-23 season. The footballer used the trip to bond with fans and gift them jerseys. He also linked up with former Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o.

Are William Saliba's parents alive?

Brian Robertson and his wife died a few years ago when their son was making a breakthrough in his career. Sources reveal that William Saliba's mother passed away during the 2020 Covid-19 pandemic, while his father died earlier. The cause of his death remains undisclosed. Unfortunately, the footballer has not shared any photos of his parents.

The loss of William Saliba's parents dealt a massive blow to his career. The talented footballer struggled in 2020 while on loan at Saint-Etienne from Arsenal. His mother's death, injuries, and the French League cancellation hampered his progress.

William Saliba's career

Where are William Saliba parents from?
William Saliba of Marseille celebrates their victory over Nice at Orange Velodrome on 20 March 2022 in Marseille, France. Photo: Johnny Fidelin
Source: Getty Images

The French defender started playing football at a young age. He enrolled at Bondy Academy thanks to Kylian Mbappe's father, Wilfried. William played as a striker in the academy before Wilfried convinced him to switch position to centre-back.

"He was a good coach and he really helped me at this age… he told the truth – even if you were young. The message he told me was: 'Yeah, you're a good striker but I think you will become a defensive midfielder'," the Arsenal star said in a past interview with Daily Mail.

Saliba later transformed into the dominant defender he is today. He penned his first professional contract with Saint-Étienne at 17. The French star debuted on 25 September 2018 in a 3-2 Ligue 1 win over Toulouse. He signed a five-year contract with Arsenal in July 2019 but spent two seasons on loan before joining the Gunners.

The footballer stayed at Saint-Étienne in the 2019-20 season, then moved to OGC Nice in 2021 and Marseille for the 2021-22 season. His partnership with Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes has strengthened Arsenal's backline and stopped many attackers. They rank among the best football duo of the current generation.

Saliba represented France at different youth levels from the Under-16 to Under-21. He was also part of the French squad at the 2022 World Cup.

Interesting facts about William Saliba

Parents of William Saliba
Arsenal's Gabriel Magalhaes (L) and William Saliba (R) celebrate their Premier League win over Manchester City at Emirates Stadium on 8 October 2023 in London, England. Photo: Stuart MacFarlane
Source: Getty Images

The French star has come a long way to reaching his level. His parents believed in him since he was a kid and helped him realise his dreams. Here are other things you need to know about the defender.

Does he have siblings?

William is reportedly the only child in their family. He has not shared anything regarding his sibling.

Who is William Saliba's wife?

The talented footballer is also single, focusing on developing his talent and skills. He has shown the potential of becoming a great defender.

William Saliba's Instagram

The Arsenal defender is active on Instagram with 1.1 million followers as of December 2023. He often shares photos of his actions on the pitch.

Final word

The death of William Saliba's parents left the footballer emotionally damaged, but he remained focused and committed to his career. His leadership skills and ability to read the play have helped the Gunners regain form and compete for titles.

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Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.