🔗 Share this article Senegal's Rising Star Camara: Starting from Dreams to Afcon Favourites. As I walk into the space, Lamine Camara picks up a soccer ball he won’t let go of throughout the conversation. It’s a powerful visual metaphor for a dream he has always held onto. “I only wanted the beautiful game; my mind was set on nothing else,” states the AS Monaco and Senegal midfielder. His determination and raw talent won over clubs like Génération Foot, Metz and Monaco. Yet, the most difficult person to convince didn't come from a sporting director or coach, it was from his dad. “He was against me playing soccer simply because he had never watched me,” says Camara. Surmounting Early Hurdles Eventually, on “a special day,” Camara earned his father’s blessing to chase his path in the sport. A further barrier was his small stature, which deterred his hometown team Casa Sports from offering him a deal. However, Génération Foot – the club that nurtured talents including Sadio Mané, Papiss Cissé and Ismaïla Sarr – saw his potential instantly. After Camara was named the MVP in a regional tournament, Génération Foot were “shocked” to learn he was not tied down. They acted quickly. “I was taken directly to the academy. They prevented me from going back to Casamance,” Camara said. An Unforgettable Year and European Breakthrough This move put him on a pathway to Europe. A defining period was 2023, “an unforgettable year,” starting with Camara winning the CHAN trophy. Just weeks later, though tired, he played in the Under-20s Afcon, leading his nation to the title and earning best player. A month later, he was unveiled as Metz, emulating Mané. “Adapting was never a problem,” says the youngster. He resides alone in Europe, a situation his family support to maintain his concentration. Influences and Playing Style Off-field noise are not really a problem for Camara, who looks up to the Belgian maestro's “modesty” and exceptional skills. He is also a huge fan of players like Fede Valverde, Toni Kroos, and his Senegal colleague Idrissa Gana Gueye. His powerful shot and precision from set pieces are key strengths. Camara confesses he must to control his competitive fire, after being sent off at the start of his tenures at each French club. “It's a trait that is following me!” he quips. Monaco, Mentors and Future Ambitions 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 fortunate,” Camara noted. Right now, his focus is firmly on the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal. “We are the favourites – we can’t hide from that. After defeating England in their own country…,” he states, referencing a historic 3-1 win in Nottingham. On a potential future move to the English top flight, he is focused on Monaco for now. “I feel really at ease here,” he affirms. However, he's frequently teased by icon El-Hadji Diouf about Camara's two Africa Young Player of the Year awards. Camara jokes, but is serious about targeting the senior top prize in the future. “The pressure is on us – that's the reality. If you beat England at Wembley… it instills confidence.” Looking ahead, this talented midfielder blends a modest start, unwavering focus, and big dreams targeting to lead Senegal to Afcon success and forge his own lasting legacy in the game.