When I enter the room, the young midfielder picks up a soccer ball he won’t let go of until after the conversation. It’s a simple visual metaphor for a dream he has never let slip. “My sole focus was football; I was focused solely on that,” states the AS Monaco and Senegal midfielder.
His determination and natural ability won over teams such as Génération Foot, Metz and Monaco. Yet, the most difficult person to convince was not a sporting director or coach, it was from his dad. “He didn’t want me to play football but it’s because he hadn’t seen me play,” says Camara.
Eventually, on “a special day,” Camara earned his dad's approval to chase his career in the sport. Another challenge was his modest frame, which deterred his hometown team Casa Sports from giving him a contract.
Nevertheless, the famed academy – the club that produced talents including Sadio Mané, Papiss Cissé and Ismaïla Sarr – saw his potential instantly. Following he earned the best player in a regional tournament, the scouts were “astonished” to learn he was not tied down. They moved fast. “I was taken straight to the academy. They prevented me from returning home,” he recalled.
This move put him on a pathway to Europe. A defining period came in 2023, “a year to remember,” starting with Camara winning the African Nations Championship. Just weeks later, though tired, he competed in the Under-20s Afcon, guiding his country to victory and earning player of the tournament.
Soon after, he signed for FC Metz, emulating Mané. “Adapting was never a problem,” says the youngster. He has lived alone in Europe, a choice his relatives encourage to keep him focused.
Distractions are not really a concern for Camara, who looks up to Kevin De Bruyne’s “modesty” and superb skills. He is also a big admirer of players like Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos, and his international teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye.
His powerful shot and accuracy from set pieces are notable assets. He admits a need to temper his aggression, having been sent off early in his spells at both Metz and Monaco. “It's a trait that is following me!” he quips.
At Monaco, he values the guidance of veterans such as Denis Zakaria and especially Paul Pogba. “When I heard Monaco were interested in Pogba, I told myself we are really lucky,” he said.
Currently, his focus is squarely on the Afcon tournament with Senegal. “We are the team to beat – we can’t hide from that. If you beat England on their soil…,” he states, referencing a memorable 3-1 win in Nottingham.
Regarding a future move to the Premier League, he remains focused on Monaco for now. “I feel really comfortable here,” he insists. However, he's often teased by Senegalese legend El-Hadji Diouf about Camara's two Best Young Player awards. He laughs, yet remains determined about winning the main Africa Player of the Year down the line.
“The pressure is on us – that's the reality. Having beaten England in their own country… it instills belief.”
Moving forward, Lamine Camara combines a modest start, unwavering focus, and big dreams as he aims to guide Senegal to Afcon success and build his own lasting legacy in the game.
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