Recalled to the Senegal national team following Salif Sané’s withdrawal, Ousseynou Thioune now faces the crucial task of stepping into the central defensive midfield role for the Lions. At 25 years old, Thioune has previously represented Senegal but has not been a regular fixture in the squad. Speaking to the Senegalese website Wiwsport, the FC Sochaux midfielder expressed both pride and determination at this latest call-up, emphasizing his commitment to work harder at club level to maintain his form and make the most of this opportunity.
Thioune described the selection as both an honor and a source of motivation. “It’s a source of pride because every footballer dreams of representing his country, but it is also a great pleasure to join a group of such high quality,” he said. The midfielder recognizes that his individual performances, coupled with his club form, were likely key factors in Aliou Cissé’s decision, but he also sees the call-up as a push to elevate his game. “I believe this selection for the national team is an incentive to work harder; it should push me to redouble my efforts every day,” he explained.
The defensive midfielder is fully aware of the competitive nature of the squad and the coach’s methodical approach to player selection. “Today, I think the coach monitors everyone’s performance and makes choices based on many criteria. If he judged that I could be of any use to his team, I can only be proud and dedicate myself to serving the nation,” Thioune added, underscoring his readiness to contribute to the Lions’ campaign.
Thioune’s journey with the national team began in 2014 when he was called up for a friendly against Colombia, but he has not been involved with the squad consistently since then. This new selection represents another chance to establish himself and prove his value to the team. With determination and focus, Thioune is intent on convincing Aliou Cissé that he can be a reliable and indispensable figure in the defensive midfield position, helping Senegal achieve its goals in upcoming qualifiers and tournaments.
For Thioune, this recall is more than just an opportunity—it is a challenge to solidify his place in a highly competitive squad, showcase his abilities on the international stage, and contribute meaningfully to the success of the Lions. The combination of pride, responsibility, and motivation will drive him to seize this moment and potentially become a key component in Senegal’s midfield setup.
