For Emmanuel Latte Lath, the big moment came within three minutes of his Bundesliga debut for Union Berlin. At the age of 27, it was his first appearance in a major European league. And he scored. "It was like an explosion, the emotion that I had inside."

It was a simple header against Eintracht Frankfurt but for Latte Lath it was much more than that. It was the culmination of a journey that began in the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire before emigrating to Italy at eight years old. More recently, it was a career that had stalled.

His transfer from Middlesbrough to Major League Soccer club Atlanta last year was worth £22.5m and all the pressure that this brings. Asked about the big move by Sky Sports, Latte Lath says: "It was difficult because I came there with a lot of expectation."

He explains: "It became really, really difficult. I really felt it on my skin, on my journey, on my career." Eleven goals in 48 games was no disgrace. But everyone, himself included, hoped for much more. "I really wanted to show them why I arrived there. And it did not work."

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There were memories that made him smile. He got to play against Lionel Messi, for example. "I was really like a kid when you see your hero. It was unbelievable. I will never forget it. I also touched him. I could touch Messi," he says, laughing at the thought.

But when Latte Lath talks more generally about regrets, it is tempting to think he regards his move as a misstep at a major moment. "You have to remember why you started. People around you will really, really affect a lot your decisions and your career."

When asked what advice he would give his younger self, Latte Lath replies: "Honestly, what I could say to him, I just could say maybe take more decisions for myself, not let people take decisions for me. This is the main thing I can say to the young Emmanuel."

After starting out at Atalanta in Italy, he had a number of loans, most notably with Swiss club St Gallen where he scored 14 top-flight goals, but it was at Middlesbrough where he really flourished. Sixteen strikes in his debut Championship season raised his profile.

What was it about life at Boro that brought out the best in him? "I think the main thing is that it is a family club. So I left my family in Italy and I came and I found another family. So, this was, for me, the main thing. So, they found me and gave me [help] to push on."

Michael Carrick was the coach in charge for all 29 of Latte Lath's Boro goals. What did he think of him? "I think he is a calm, calm coach and he kind of observes everything. And observing him, he tried to take the best out of yourself. That is the main thing."

Carrick finds himself in the eye of a storm at Manchester United. How does Latte Lath believe that his former boss will deal with the difficult moments? "From my experience, when we were in the difficult situation, he never screamed like crazy," he reveals.

"He just tried to analyse the moment and analyse the players and help us talk. Like saying, 'OK, now we're in a difficult moment, we have to try to do this, this, this'. And this was the main thing because he knew how to listen to us and also how to speak with us."

Learning to open up about his thoughts and feelings has been important for Latte Lath. He is working with a mental coach. "In the beginning, I was, like, I don't trust him, you know? But he helped me a lot. It is not just, I have to do this, do that. It is just talking."

He adds: "It is trying to know me, understanding what I need. For me, it is really helpful because I do not just use him for work with my job but also in real life. To become a man because I became a father. It is something new for me and really, really helpful."

Life in the Bundesliga with Union Berlin is new for him too. "New coach, new system, new everything." And he is aware it is a step up. "It is intense, it's hard work and you have no time to kind of rest or think." And after that debut goal, it has been a test for Union.

Latte Lath has already faced Bayer Leverkusen, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund this season. Asked about playing against Harry Kane, he says: "When you play and you lose, you are not happy. But football is a journey for learning things," he explains.

"So, as a striker, I always try to steal something. Maybe some movement, some action, to see how they think in a pressing situation." He adds: "As a striker, I am the first defender so I want to bring this." And to become a leader. "This is the main thing for me."

The past year has been "a bit tough" by his own admission. But he has learned "to never give up" and is ready for the next challenge. It has been some journey. But a journey of self-realisation too. "Honestly, I cannot do it alone. The people around me help a lot."