🔗 Share this article Senegal's Rising Star Camara: Starting from Aspirations to Afcon Favourites. As I walk into the room, the young midfielder picks up a football he clings to throughout our chat. It’s a powerful visual metaphor for a dream he has always held onto. “My sole focus was football; I was focused solely on that,” remarks the AS Monaco and Senegal playmaker. His resolve and natural ability won over teams such as Metz, Monaco, and Génération Foot. However, the hardest person to convince was not a club executive or manager, but his own father. “He was against me playing soccer but it’s because he hadn’t seen me play,” explains Camara. Surmounting Early Hurdles In time, on “one beautiful day,” Camara earned his dad's approval to pursue his path in the sport. Another challenge was his modest frame, which discouraged his hometown team Casa Sports from offering him a contract. Nevertheless, Génération Foot – the institution that nurtured talents including Sadio Mané, Papiss Cissé and Ismaïla Sarr – saw his potential instantly. After Camara was named the best player in a local competition, Génération Foot were “astonished” to discover he was not tied down. They acted quickly. “They took me straight to the training centre. They prevented me from returning to Casamance,” he recalled. A Landmark Year and Continental Breakthrough That decision put him on a pathway to Europe. A defining period came in 2023, “an unforgettable year,” which began with Camara winning the CHAN trophy. Shortly after, despite fatigue, he competed in the Under-20s Afcon, leading his country to the title and earning player of the tournament. A month later, he was unveiled as Metz, emulating Mané. “Settling in wasn't a problem,” says the 21-year-old. He has lived by himself in Europe, a choice his relatives encourage to keep him focused. Inspiration and On-Field Identity Off-field noise are not really a concern for Camara, who looks up to Kevin De Bruyne’s “modesty” and superb skills. Additionally, he's a big admirer of players like Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos, and his international teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye. His ball striking and precision from dead-ball situations are key strengths. He admits he must to temper his competitive fire, having been shown red early in his tenures at each French club. “It's a trait that is following me!” he jokes. Monaco, Teammates and Upcoming Goals With his current club, he cherishes the guidance of veterans such as Denis Zakaria and especially Paul Pogba. “When I heard about the interest in Pogba, I thought we are really lucky,” Camara noted. Right now, his focus is squarely on the Afcon tournament with Senegal. “We are the favourites – we can’t hide from that. After defeating England in their own country…,” he says, referencing a memorable 3-1 victory in Nottingham. On a potential future move to the English top flight, he remains focused on Monaco at present. “I am very comfortable here,” he affirms. He is often teased by icon El-Hadji Diouf about Camara's two Africa Young Player of the Year awards. Camara jokes, yet remains determined about targeting the main top prize down the line. “The pressure is on us – that's the reality. If you beat England in their own country… it instills belief.” Moving forward, Lamine Camara combines a modest start, unwavering focus, and big dreams targeting to guide Senegal to continental glory and forge his own lasting legacy in the world of football.