Cconsidered one of the greatest hopes of Belgian football, Malick Fofana did not take long to be noticed by European leaders. In January 2024, it was finally Olympique Lyonnais who won. Seduced by the talent of the young striker from La Gantoise, the Lyon leaders did not hesitate to put 17 million euros on the table to snatch him from Belgium. A meteoric rise for Fofana, whose performances did not leave Domenico Tedesco, the Belgian coach, indifferent, who was quick to open the doors of the Red Devils to him.
The young nugget spoke this week to Emiliano Bonfigli of RTL Sports.
How did you learn that you were included in the Belgian selection?
We returned from our European trip to Scotland, to Rangers, at 4 a.m. and the selection was revealed at 10 a.m. I was still sleeping. When I woke up, I had lots of messages and calls. That’s when I saw that I was taken over by the Red Devils. I was proud and so were my loved ones.
And in Lyon, in your club, what did your teammates do?
Everyone congratulated me, it was great. It was an incredible two days because the day before, in Glasgow, I scored two goals and provided an assist.
What type of player are you? What are your qualities?
I’m a fast player who likes to dribble and I’m quite strong on both feet. My game is quite direct. I play as a winger and there is a lot of competition at this level in the national team.
You are a young player, you are 19 years old, are there players who made you dream, with whom you identify?
I like Neymar. He’s an incredible player. I’ve seen clips from when he played at Santos, it’s impressive. He’s my childhood idol.
When you see his technical gestures, do you try to copy them?
Neymar is another level again. I always try to improve, to be more decisive.
What pushed you to leave the Belgian championship and La Gantoise at 19 to join Lyon in Ligue 1?
Lyon, we are not talking about just any club. They showed that they believed in me and personally, I felt ready to take the step. So, I made the decision to join this club. I still want to progress and the club will help me. I also know that I still have to work a lot.
Your impressions of the French championship, do they correspond to you?
At the beginning, I had to adapt but now I feel good.
And slowly, are you settling into the team a little more? Because this weekend, for example, you played 74 minutes against Nantes. Do you feel that the coach’s confidence is more present too?
Yes, of course, but it’s also thanks to myself and my performances. I show the coach that he can count on me. Everyone has to fight for their place on the team.
In the Nations League, I imagine you would like playing against France?
Yes, but before thinking about that, you have to work hard in training. And when I make my debut, I hope I have a good match and people don’t forget me. If you play in France and you are in the Belgian team, that obviously motivates you, that’s normal.
Did the teammates in Lyon tell you nothing? The fact that you were a representative and that you played against France, didn’t they bother you a little?
No, on the other hand when the match was played in France in September, yes. Because the match was being played in Lyon. Here, they just told me to have fun.
What is your ambition, ultimately, Malik because you are only 19 years old?
I would like to play in the Champions League. But each in its time. For now, I’m here with the Devils and maybe next year I’ll have the chance to play in the Champions League. This season, with Lyon, we are playing in the Europa League and that’s already not bad.
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