Razak Boukari
A lightning-fast winger from Togo whose club career in Europe was persistently challenged by severe injury setbacks.
Born 1987 (age 39)·Togolese footballer·Birthday: April 25·Millennials
Biography
Razak Boukari possessed the raw tools that make scouts take notice: blistering pace, direct dribbling, and a fearlessness on the wing. His talent earned him moves to prominent French clubs RC Lens and Olympique Lyonnais, and later to the English Premier League with Stoke City. At each stop, the story followed a frustrating pattern: flashes of exciting potential quickly dimmed by long-term injuries. A chronic Achilles problem, in particular, became a relentless adversary, requiring multiple surgeries and robbing him of consistency and momentum. Boukari's career became less about the goals he scored and more about the battles he fought just to get back on the pitch. His resilience in the face of these physical trials defined his professional journey, as he continued to play for clubs in France, Turkey, and Switzerland long after many might have stepped away, a testament to his passion for the game.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Razak was born in 1987, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Razak Was Born
The biggest hits of 1987
#1 Movie
Three Men and a Baby
Best Picture
The Last Emperor
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Razak's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1987Born
Black Monday stock market crash
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $72,400Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Walk Like an Egyptian" — The BanglesBest Picture: The Last Emperor
1992Started school
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2000Became a teenager
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2003Could drive
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2005Could vote
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Turned 21
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2017Turned 30
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
2026Age 39 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played in the French Ligue 1 for top-flight clubs RC Lens and Olympique Lyonnais.
- Earned a transfer to the English Premier League, signing with Stoke City in 2012.
- Represented the Togo national team, including appearances in FIFA World Cup qualifying matches.
Did You Know?
He made his Ligue 1 debut at the age of 17 for RC Lens.
His transfer from Rennes to Lyon in 2011 was part of a deal that sent French international Jimmy Briand to Rennes.
He is known by the nickname 'Razak' and his full name is Abdoul-Razak Boukari.
“I always gave everything on the pitch; the rest was out of my hands.”
