Nathan Gassama: "To participate in an AFCON after 2 selections, that’s the dream"

In 2023, you’re going to Slavia Sofia in Bulgaria. Why Bulgaria, and what has this season brought you concretely?

It’s mostly a matter of opportunity. After my time at Cholet, where I played little, it was complicated to find an interesting project. I was offered Bulgaria and, honestly, I didn’t know anything about the country, neither Sofia nor the championship.

I spent a week there and was pleasantly surprised. The infrastructure was good, the people were welcoming, and there were two French people at the club, which made my integration easier. I also discovered a pleasant city, with everything you need to work in good conditions. I gained confidence, gained experience and progressed very quickly. There were good players and a good level in Bulgaria. After a complicated period at Cholet, it allowed me to get back on track.

A few months later, you sign a five-year contract in Baltika Kaliningrad in Russia. How did this transfer look, and why did you say yes?

The club contacted me during the summer. As with Bulgaria, I didn’t know either the club or the city. We talked a lot, they explained the project to me and I felt real interest from them. The coach really wanted me.

In that moment, it was the best opportunity for me. The Russian championship also represents a higher level than that of Bulgaria, so, in my progression, it seemed logical to me. I absolutely do not regret this choice.


Nathan Gassama passed through Troyes at the beginning of his career.
What allowed you to establish yourself so quickly as a full-time member at Baltika?

First, I would say the coaches' trust. They put me at ease immediately and were very clear about what they expected from me. They took the time to show me individual videos, to explain the style of play and the instructions.

When you arrive in an environment where you feel good, with a group that helps you, adaptation becomes much easier. Whether with my teammates, the staff or the club in general, everything is going well. There is a real diversity in the locker room and a good working atmosphere. The club did everything to facilitate my adaptation, even outside the field with administrative procedures or daily life. Honestly, I was only able to focus on football.

"To bear the name Gassama and represent Mali is something very strong. I have always had a very strong connection with Mali."

It’s 2026, Russia is still excluded from European competitions. Are you afraid that this will isolate you in the eyes of Western clubs?

No, because today everything is connected. Clubs can see all the players easily. Obviously, it’s a shame that there are no more European competitions, but it’s not my role to comment on that. I just hope that the situation will change quickly.

The match with Mali against Russia? It was special. When I found out we were going to play that game, I was very happy. Representing Mali in the country where I work every day had a special flavor. Russia has good players and a great selection despite the current lack of exposure, so it was a great line-up to play.

How did this call come about, and what does it mean to you, knowing that you are a dual French-Malian national?

Honestly, I didn’t necessarily expect it so quickly. I had a good start to the season with my club, but receiving this call just before the AFCON was incredible.

It is a huge source of pride for me and my family. Bearing the name Gassama and representing Mali is something very powerful. I have always had a very strong connection with Mali. It is my father’s country, and my whole family has always been very close to this culture. My grandparents, my uncles, my aunts lived near our home, so Mali has always been a part of me. Honestly, I always wanted to represent Mali. My little brother is already playing for the Malian Hopes, so this choice was natural.

"When you have passion and desire, there is no limit."

From there, to be quickly rewarded by participating in the last African Cup of Nations. How do you receive this recognition?

Participating in an AFCON from my second selection, it was a dream. This is the biggest African competition and feeling this pressure, this fervor, it’s something unique. This experience brought me a lot of confidence. Playing against Morocco, great teams, rubbing shoulders with experienced players every day, observing their way of working and recovering, all this makes a huge contribution. Thank you very much to the staff for giving me this chance. 

My best memory is the match against Tunisia. Even though I didn’t play, the emotional uplift was incredible. The qualification, the emotions on the bench, then the celebrations in the locker room... These are memories engraved for life. 

No Mali at the World Cup: what is the short-term objective to restore the reputation of the Eagles?

The goal is already to continue to perform well and to keep this combative mindset that we have shown recently. Then, we will obviously have to qualify for the next AFCON. But above all, we want to make the fans proud of us, give everything for the jersey and eventually win a trophy with Mali.

Your journey, Évry, Nantes, Troyes, Cholet, Sofia, Kaliningrad, is anything but a classic trajectory. What has it taught you about yourself?

It taught me to have character and to adapt. Going to countries you don’t know, discovering new cultures and languages is not easy. But it also gave me a lot of confidence. I have always had dreams and, as soon as an opportunity presented itself, I tried to seize it. No matter the country or the championship, when you have passion and desire, there is no limit.