Lamine Camara is the child prodigy of Senegalese soccer. Under the auspices of his highly promising and successful 2022 year, the 20-year-old Senegalese midfielder, for many, has all the makings of a future big name in African and even world soccer. These words are far from gratuitous, given the player's career path, which augurs well for the future.
The Diouloulou native has all the makings of a great player. The makings, because as a young player with Génération Foot in the local league, he established himself as one of the best players in the local league. At the tender age of 19, he was selected for the local national team, which took part in the African Nations Championship 2022 (played in 2023).
Lamine, with his 19 rainy seasons under his belt, is no less talented at the tournament. He literally led Senegal to victory, finishing 2nd best player and youngest player of the tournament. He was logically included in the tournament's eleven players.Lamine Camara opened the competition with the title of man of the match, an accolade he won in all 3 group matches. In front of a packed stadium, he scored the winning penalty for Senegal on penalties against hosts Algeria. Some might say that his life's work is already done. But that would be to misjudge the player, a born competitor.
At his age, this youngster is not afraid of responsibility, and he's the official set-piece taker, an exercise in which he excels. He takes them wherever he plays... He dictates the tempo of the team in matches. The vista, the success of the greats means that he and Senegal have won a competition that Senegal had not entered for a long time. A history of successful firsts. The great year of 2023 was just beginning, with Lamine naturally selected for the AFCON(U 20). Lamine showed the same hunger on the pitch. He once again won the tournament in his category, this time finishing as best player. His reputation was made.
He joins FC Metz, the obligatory stop-off point for Génération Foot boarders.
As soon as he arrived, Lamine didn't have any hang-ups: he was ranked, and put in a monstrous performance to impress everyone.Few players in my memory have not gone through a transitional period in the reserves before joining the first team. However, some very big names from Senegal have passed through the Messin club: Ismaila Sarr, Sadio Mané, etc., to name but a few of the most talented.
Despite his very young age, the player has personality. He's available in the game, which means he never hides, no matter what's at stake or the pressure of the match. The young man has embraced the popular adage that "soccer is first and foremost a game". The midfielder seems immune to the pressure. In his second match with Metz, Lamine, in the normal course of his apprenticeship, was sent off for a temperamental gesture in response to provocation.Signs that don't deceive when it comes to spotting the rare bird: Lamine blames himself to the point of crying in the dressing room. Irrespective of this, his immediate influence on Messin's game, his hyperactivity and his projections are impressive. Lamine's maturity and understanding of the game make him a precocious phenomenon. He seems to assimilate the game at lightning speed.
Lamine Camara, hyperactive, an excellent technician and a superb retriever
Metz wins promotion to Ligue 1 for the 2023-2024 season. At the age of 20, Lamine Camara continues to showcase his talent and commitment on the pitch. You'd be forgiven for thinking that he's one of the team's regulars, so unashamedly and boldly does he play. His ability to make the right decisions is also remarkable.
The player doesn't hesitate to carry the ball for dozens of metres, even to the point of exposing his team to unconsidered risks, with his ball carries showing that he has no fear of taking risks. As the old saying goes, "There are times when the ball burns and you want to get rid of it".This is not the case for the GF-trained player. At just 20 years of age, he has scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists since February.
His goal against Monaco is another example of his future promise. With his good vision and precise footwork, the player had seen the Monaco goalkeeper coming. When he picked up the ball, he shot over from 58m.It was one of the goals of the season in all leagues. Lamine dared and succeeded in a gesture that, in an entire career, many players never attempt. He doesn't shy away, so to speak. He's also an ace at recovering the ball, and loves duels. So he's on the run on both sides of the pitch, with a wide range of options. Lamine is fuelled by a love of soccer and passion and it shows in his spectacular play.
Lamine Camara avait tout préparé sur son but exceptionnel lors de Monaco / Metz 🗣️#ASMFCM | #Ligue1UberEats pic.twitter.com/EiITuIwokc
— CANAL+ Foot (@CanalplusFoot) October 22, 2023
Camara convinces everyone from his first minutes with the national team
It's not a lack of confidence that's his flaw. These signs are unmistakable and no doubt also explain why Aliou Cissé, renowned for not launching young players, called him up for his 1st selection against Algeria in September 2023. And for the 1st time, Lamine was the most dynamic player in the team, at 19 years of age. 20 minutes were enough for him to put the Diamniadio Stadium crowd in his pocket. 4 months later, he is firmly established in Senegal's midfield.
In his 1st match, he scored a brace.He then went on to impress against Cameroon with his midfield companions Pape Gueye and Pape Matar Sarr, to the point of being considered the team's strongest link. The comparison between his presence and absence on the pitch is striking. Superlatives are in short supply to describe the player.
In other respects, the player has everything it takes to be seen as a future great, which is all we wish for him. He exudes great maturity for his age. Lamine Camara always has the right words, the right attitude, during interviews. He exudes a certain insouciance off the pitch, always with a ball, in the videos leaked from the Tanière. The FC Metz player is also lucky enough to be in the squad with good examples of players who have a good head on their shoulders, who can be good advisors, good beacons, like Sadio Mané and Kalidou Koulibaly, to guide him.
La Tanière impressed by Lamine Camara
Moussa Niakhaté, one of the squad's players, was asked about the Senegalese player with this profile before the African Cup of Nations. The Nottingham defender gave the name of Lamine Camara and backed up his claims with arguments."Lamine Camara from FC Metz, for me, is going to be a great player. Because of what I've seen in the national team, for his first steps, the audacity he has, the personality he has in his game. His first start against Algeria didn't even impress me with his technical quality. All that, yes!But what I do know about a player who can have a great career is character. That defines everything (...). And that says a lot (...). He loves soccer to the core..." says the central defender.
At the time of writing, Lamine Camara has been voted best young player of the AFCON group phase. What's more, he is one of the best players of the last phase. What more can be said about La-Mine, except that the rest of the story is still being written... Many phenomena have impressed the national team, but never has a player made such an impression at such a young age.
Deux buts dans trois matchs ! 🦁
Lamine Camara brille pour le Sénégal et devient le Meilleur Jeune Joueur de la phase de poules de la #TotalEnergiesAFCON2023 ! 🇸🇳@GaindeYi pic.twitter.com/H3jUBXkvhz
— CAF - FR (@caf_online_FR) January 25, 2024
