Mamadou Diankhon, un dribbleur redoutable rejoint la Tanière
FC Bruges (Belgian elite) striker Mamadou Diakhon, born to a Malian father and a Senegalese mother, has finally chosen to join the ranks of the Lions, after hesitating for a long time between Senegal, Mali and France.
He was included in the list published Thursday by Lions coach Pape Thiaw, ahead of the next two friendly matches that Senegal will play against Peru and Gambia, on March 28 and 31 respectively.
Formerly part of France's U18, U19 and U20 national teams, the young left winger, a formidable dribbler, has agreed to play with the Lions.
The new resident of the Den was also on the list made public the same day by the coach of the French national under-21 team, Gérald Baticle, to challenge Luxembourg and Iceland on March 26 and 30 in the Euro Under-21 qualifiers.
Considered a promising talent by observers, Mamadou Diakhon signed his first professional contract with Stade Reims (French elite) at the age of 19.
Having arrived in the Belgian league this season, he is the current man in form for Club Bruges, with whom he has distinguished himself in the Champions League this season with two goals.
Last season, a statistical study ranked Diakhon among the best dribblers in Europe, with 40.29 dribbles/100 touches of the ball… ahead of Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.
When asked during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN) which country he wanted to play for, between Mali and Senegal, he rather dodged the question.
“For now, I’m focused on my club: I haven’t had to make any decisions yet, because I haven’t been contacted for a national team call-up. Obviously, I was very happy that Senegal won the AFCON… but I was also very disappointed that Mali lost in the quarter-finals. So, thanks to Senegal, the pain was less intense,” he said.
He added: “Both countries (Mali and Senegal) are also close to my heart, but I repeat, for the moment, I have not had to make a choice. But when the day comes, it will be difficult, of course.”
The Senegal national team is preparing for the World Cup scheduled from June 11 to July 19, 2026 in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Senegal will share the same group as France, Norway, and the winner of the play-off between Bolivia, Iraq and Suriname.
Senegal, who reached the round of 16 in 2022, will participate in their fourth World Cup in 2026.
In 2002, for their first World Cup in Japan and South Korea, the Lions beat France, the defending champions, in the opening match with a goal from the legendary Pape Bouba Diop (1978-2020). They were then eliminated in the quarter-finals by Turkey, with a golden goal.
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