🔗 Share this article

When I enter the space, Lamine Camara picks up a football he won’t let go of until after our chat. It’s a simple symbol for a dream he has always held onto. “I only wanted football; my mind was set on nothing else,” states the AS Monaco and Senegal midfielder.

His resolve and raw talent won over clubs like Metz, Monaco, and Génération Foot. Yet, the hardest approval to secure was not a club executive or coach, but his own father. “He was against me to play football simply because he hadn’t seen me play,” says Camara.

Surmounting Initial Obstacles

Eventually, on “a special day,” Camara earned his dad's approval to chase his career in the game. Another challenge was his small stature, which deterred local club Casa Sports from offering him a deal.

However, the famed academy – the institution that produced stars like Sadio Mané, Papiss Cissé and Ismaïla Sarr – were convinced immediately. Following he earned the MVP in a local competition, the scouts were “astonished” to discover he was not tied down. They moved fast. “I was taken straight to the academy. They didn’t want me from returning to Casamance,” Camara said.

A Landmark Year and Continental Breakthrough

That decision set him on a trajectory 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 competed in the Under-20s Afcon, leading his nation to the title and earning player of the tournament.

A month later, he signed for Metz, following in the footsteps of Mané. “Adapting was never a problem,” says the youngster. He has lived alone in Europe, a choice his family encourage to keep him focused.

Inspiration and Playing Style

Distractions aren't a concern for Camara, who looks up to Kevin De Bruyne’s “modesty” and superb playing qualities. Additionally, he's 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 control his aggression, after being shown red early in his tenures at both Metz and Monaco. “It's a trait that is following me!” he jokes.

Life at Monaco, Mentors and Future Goals

At Monaco, he values learning from teammates like Denis Zakaria and particularly Paul Pogba. “As soon as I heard about the interest in Pogba, I told myself we are really lucky,” he said.

Right now, attention is firmly on the Afcon tournament with Senegal. “We are the favourites – we can’t hide from that. After defeating England on their soil…,” he says, referencing a memorable 3-1 victory in Nottingham.

On a potential future move to the Premier League, he remains focused on Monaco at present. “I feel really at ease here,” he affirms. However, he's frequently ribbed by icon El-Hadji Diouf about his two Africa Young Player of the Year awards. He laughs, but is serious about winning the senior top prize in the future.

“The pressure is on us – we can’t hide from that. If you beat England at Wembley… it instills confidence.”

Looking ahead, Lamine Camara combines a modest start, steely determination, and grand ambitions targeting to lead Senegal to continental glory and build his own legendary path in the world of football.