🔗 Share this article

When I enter the room, the young midfielder grabs a football he clings to until after our chat. It’s a simple symbol for a ambition he has always held onto. “My sole focus was the beautiful game; my mind was set on nothing else,” states this AS Monaco and Senegal playmaker.

His determination and raw talent won over clubs like Génération Foot, Metz and Monaco. However, the most difficult person to convince was not a sporting director or coach, but his own father. “He was against me to play football simply because he hadn’t seen me play,” explains Camara.

Overcoming Early Hurdles

Eventually, on “a special day,” Camara earned his dad's approval to pursue his path in the game. Another challenge was his modest frame, which discouraged local club Casa Sports from giving him a contract.

Nevertheless, Génération Foot – the club that nurtured talents including Sadio Mané, Papiss Cissé and Ismaïla Sarr – were convinced immediately. Following he earned the best player in a regional tournament, the scouts were “astonished” to discover he was without a contract. They moved fast. “They took me straight to the training centre. They didn’t want me from going back home,” Camara said.

An Unforgettable Year and European Breakthrough

This move set him on a pathway to Europe. His breakthrough came in 2023, “a year to remember,” which began with Camara winning the African Nations Championship. Shortly after, despite fatigue, he played in the Under-20s Afcon, guiding his nation to the title and earning player of the tournament.

Soon after, he was unveiled as Metz, emulating Mané. “Adapting was never a challenge,” says the youngster. He has lived alone in Europe, a situation his family support to keep him focused.

Influences and Playing Style

Distractions are not really a concern for Camara, who looks up to Kevin De Bruyne’s “modesty” and superb playing qualities. He is also a huge fan of players like Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos, and his international teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye.

His ball striking and precision from set pieces are notable assets. Camara confesses a need to temper his aggression, having been sent off at the start of his spells at both Metz and Monaco. “It is a habit that is following me!” he jokes.

Monaco, Teammates and Future Ambitions

With his current club, he values learning from veterans such as Denis Zakaria and particularly Paul Pogba. “When I heard Monaco were interested in Pogba, I told myself we are really lucky,” he said.

Currently, attention is firmly on the Afcon tournament with Senegal. “We are the team to beat – we can’t hide from that. If you beat England in their own country…,” he says, pointing to a historic 3-1 win in Nottingham.

On a potential future move to the English top flight, he is committed to Monaco at present. “I feel really at ease here,” he insists. However, he's often ribbed by Senegalese legend El-Hadji Diouf about Camara's two Best Young Player awards. Camara jokes, but is serious about winning the senior Africa Player of the Year down the line.

“We are the favourites – we can’t hide from that. If you beat England in their own country… it gives you confidence.”

Moving forward, this talented midfielder combines a modest start, unwavering focus, and grand ambitions targeting to guide Senegal to continental glory and build his own legendary path in the game.