Naby Keita, now with Ferencváros, has expressed his ambition to claim the African Ballon d’Or, despite a challenging period in his career marred by injuries and inconsistent form.
The 28-year-old Guinean international, who recently signed with the Hungarian champions, is determined to make a fresh start and return to his peak.
Reflecting on his turbulent journey, Keita remains optimistic about what lies ahead.
“I will do my best to help the team and achieve great success together.
I want to enjoy every minute I can spend on the field,” he told Ferencváros’ media outlet following his return from the CAF Awards, where he was a guest.
Aiming for African Football’s Highest Honor
Keita, whose performances once placed him among the continent’s elite, is focused on reclaiming his spot at the top.
“One day, I want to win the African Ballon d’Or,” the Guinea captain confidently declared.
Keita’s career highlights include nominations among the 30 best African players in 2017, 2018, and 2019, during his spells with RB Leipzig and Liverpool.
However, his performances have since dipped, with injuries and limited game time defining his stints at Liverpool and Werder Bremen.
Now in Hungary, Keita is determined to reignite his career. His goal is to excel at club level and lead Guinea to success, though his national team faces an uphill battle, having failed to qualify for the 2025 AFCON—pending the outcome of their appeal against Tanzania.
A Difficult Road Ahead
Despite his ambitions, Keita faces stiff competition for the prestigious award.
Current African stars such as Mohamed Salah, Achraf Hakimi, Ademola Lookman, and Serhou Guirassy are regularly excelling in top European leagues and the Champions League, making the road to continental recognition daunting for Keita.
Moreover, playing in a less competitive league may pose challenges to his visibility on the international stage.
However, Keita is determined to overcome these hurdles, with his immediate focus on consistent performances and earning a return to Guinea’s national team.
Ferencváros could be the stage for Keita’s resurgence. If he can stay injury-free and deliver standout performances, the Guinean midfielder may yet revive his career and move closer to achieving his ultimate dream of becoming Africa’s best player.
🔥 NABY KEITA rêve de gagner le ballon d’or africain. A seulement 29 ans et en passe de se relancer en Hongrie, l’ancien de Liverpool dit qu’il veut gagner le ballon africain un jour avant de s’arrêter.
🗣️ Le pensez-vous capable de réussir ce challenge ? pic.twitter.com/KDgyGDtZra
— 100 % F⚽️⚽️T🇬🇳 (@Centp100foot) December 18, 2024
