Malang Sarr: “The ambitions and objectives are as high as the Senegalese supporters”

Victory, clean sheet, first steps in the Lair: Malang Sarr made his debut with Senegal on September 29, in Ethiopia. In an interview given to the media of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), the defender talks about his integration, his father, who brought him here, but also the ambitions with La Tanière.

In Bahir Dar, at an altitude of 1,800 meters, the national anthem resonates. Malang Sarr closes his eyes. For his first selection, it is first of all his own people that he carries with him, and above all a father who left too early, who lived this dream through him. In an interview with the FSF media, the defender speaks openly. When the national anthem sounded during his first selection, the former Lensois had flashbacks. “Everything mixes up. I have my personal memories of the national team. When we were with family and there was a national team match on TV, we were all in the living room as a family. I obviously think of my father, my parents, my entire family, because it’s not only me who realizes my dream, but the fact of having my name on the jersey, my whole family is represented. It’s strong. I don’t think you can describe it. You can play for a club, wear jerseys, but wearing the national team jersey is something different. It has nothing to do with it. Finding words to describe it, I don’t think I can, it’s really proud. It’s an honor because we were chosen. There are 23 of us, 26 of us, 30 of us. Among the 20 million Senegalese, or more, who would dream of representing the country. You have to be up to it. We are just blessed and honored to be in this position. » That evening, Senegal won without conceding a goal. For the defender, it is the start of a new story.

At 27, Malang Sarr is no longer a beginner. With his experience (Nice, Chelsea, Lens in particular), the central defender has experienced various locker rooms. Furthermore, the Senegal group has also facilitated its integration. “Of course, the message has been sent, it is very clear. The executives were really clear and I’m grateful because I really feel the role they want to give me, despite what has just happened and the consideration they have for me too, because if I wasn’t able to do it, they wouldn’t have given me the message. The idea is really clear, it is to explain how the group works, how the group works, how the federation works, the national team works, really to give me as many keys as possible, also give them my opinion on how I would function to help the group in the best possible way. It’s simply discussions to add the best possible details to be most effective for the group. I’m really happy, if tomorrow I have to play one of these roles, to give my all and help the national team in the best possible way. »

Robotic portrait

During this interview with the Senegalese Football Federation, Malang Sarr took the opportunity to reveal his footballing identity, just to introduce himself to those who don’t really know him. “Nowadays, when people talk about me, it’s usually my speed. For a defender, this is something important. My speed, my quality of recovery, my ease in the 1 on 1 duel. I think these are qualities that are important in a player. To be able to be tough in the duel, to be able to restart correctly, to be able to have the speed. Because today, all attackers are fast, all players are fast, football is changing too. Everything that makes a defender, all the qualities that a defender must have, I try to have some of them. If I don’t have them, I work every day to improve them,” he begins.

And the neo-Lion continues. “I would say fast, comfortable in restarts, obviously, and comfortable in duels too. I try to be better every day and I am entering a period in my career where I know myself well. I have had great experiences, whether good or bad, but which have shaped me. Today I’m at the best moment of my career and I’m playing my best football, I think. »

In addition, Malang Sarr left a message to Senegalese supporters, who are known to be very demanding, especially after winning two of the last three CAN. “The ambitions and objectives are as high as the Senegalese supporters. We really have the ambition and the intention to give pleasure through the game and especially to give pleasure through victory, because today, that’s what we remember. Victories, trophies, successes, these are things that remain. So, we will do our best to please the Senegalese, because the Senegalese love the beautiful game. They also love players who fight, who give their all. And I think that by starting with that, giving our all, giving the best of ourselves, we will already be able to conquer the Senegalese people again. But there is a transition period that is in place. We aim to live up to it and be at the same level as what has been done previously. Today, I think we are on the right track. We have all the tools and all the weapons to get there. I want to tell the Senegalese people that we are going to give our all to make them proud and to achieve the objectives that we have set for ourselves, that is to say to win more trophies and to live up to them. »

OBN