In a quiet room, the football rarely leaves his hands. For Lamine Camara, the Monaco and Senegal midfielder, this is more than a habit—it’s a symbol of a singular focus that has defined his journey. “Football was my only thought, my only goal,” he states, reflecting on the determination that earned him moves from Génération Foot to Metz and now to the Principality. Yet, his most significant challenge wasn’t impressing scouts, but winning over his own father.
“My father didn’t understand football and initially didn’t support it,” Camara recalls. “But when people kept telling him, ‘Your son has a gift,’ he finally gave his blessing.” That approval was hard-won, as was overcoming doubts about his physical stature, which once saw local club Casa Sports hesitate to offer him a deal.
His talent, however, was undeniable. A standout performance at a regional tournament caught the eye of Génération Foot—the famed academy that produced stars like Sadio Mané. “They were shocked I wasn’t under contract,” he says. “They brought me to their center immediately, and I signed the next day.” That move set him on a path to Europe, culminating in a landmark year in 2023.
That unforgettable period began with victory at the African Nations Championship. Despite fatigue, he then led Senegal’s U-20 side to continental triumph, being named the tournament’s best player. “I could never refuse my country,” he asserts. His performances soon secured a transfer to Metz, mirroring Mané’s early career move.
Now at Monaco, the 21-year-old lives a disciplined life, his family choosing to stay in Senegal to allow him total focus. “They want me concentrated on my career, and I prefer the solitude,” he explains. That focus extends to his idols on the pitch. He studies Kevin De Bruyne’s “vision and crossing,” and admires the selfless work ethic of Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde, the composure of Toni Kroos, and the tenacity of his international teammate Idrissa Gana Gueye.
He openly admits to needing to temper his own competitive fire, having been sent off early in his spells at both Metz and Monaco. “It’s a habit I’m trying to break,” he jokes. “I play on the edge, but I must manage my challenges better for the team.”
At club level, he is soaking up knowledge from experienced figures like Denis Zakaria and, notably, Paul Pogba. “Having Pogba here is a privilege. He’s world-class but incredibly humble. We talk about everything, even Senegalese food—his favorite is Thieboudienne, like most of us!” Camara says, hopeful the French star’s experience will aid a Monaco side currently struggling for consistency in Ligue 1.
For now, his immediate focus is on international duty. As Senegal heads into the Africa Cup of Nations as one of the favorites, Camara points to their impressive victory over England last summer as a sign of their capability. “We can’t hide from the expectations,” he states.
Regarding his club future, the Premier League is a league he watches closely, but he is content at Monaco for now. “I have a manager who trusts me, and I’m at ease here. We’ll see what happens, but my mind is on the present.”
He carries a friendly rivalry with Senegalese legend El-Hadji Diouf, who playfully reminds him that his back-to-back African Young Player of the Year awards (2023, 2024) don’t yet match Diouf’s two senior Player of the Year crowns. “He won’t let me forget it,” Camara laughs. “I tell him I’ll focus on forgetting those until I have the bigger ones.” It’s a lighthearted exchange, but it underscores a serious ambition: for Lamine Camara, the biggest prizes are still to come.