While information has emerged about a supposed change of sporting nationality for the benefit of Guinea, a former champion with the Senegal U20 team has come to confuse his situation with a denial.
He is one of football’s rising stars. Senegalese. Finalist of the CAN U19 in February 2019 at the age of 16, eighth finalist of the Under-17 World Cup the following November, then crowned African U20 champion in March 2023 with indisputable status, Samba Diallo gradually lost himself in anonymity.
Crushed by the pressure
Unable to confirm the promises of a good career to which he seemed predestined, the 1.68m pocket winger will go no further than pre-selection for the U23 team, swallowed up by the pressure generated around him. Even more after the emergence of her five-year-old junior, Amara DioufAfrican champion with the U17s at the dawn of his 15th birthday, in May 2023.
At the same time, his professional debut at Dynamo kyiv did not have the expected return: 17 small appearances for a single goal in two seasons with the Ukrainian club (he signed in September 2022). So much so that last summer, he was sent on loan to Hapoel Jerusalem to improve his skills.
Announced for Guinea, Samba Diallo denies
In Israel, the native of Dakar does not work in the Ligat ha’Al either, counting at the time of writing 2 achievements in 10 appearances. And in this context where a possible call-up to the Senegal A team is becoming more and more a pipe dream, the one who celebrates his 22nd birthday this Sunday would have given up on the Lions to join the Guineawe learn from journalist Lassana Camara.
But in an Instagram Story post, the main party denied this information, reiterating his allegiance to the Téranga nation, with lots of Senegal flag emoji.
“I received this information in the same way as you. I would like to assure you that I am and will remain an international Senegalese. I was born Senegalese and I feel Senegalese. This nation gave me everything and I must give it everything back. I only have one and only option, it is the A selection of my country. I am patient and I know that the selection is open to everyone. I just have to work to earn a potential call from the coach. Senegal rek, Senegal kécé, Samba Diallo international Senegalese.”
An outing likely to disperse doubt, which at the same time intensifies the vagueness around the situation of the Dakarois.
