Mamadou Sarr marked his return to domestic football in emphatic fashion as Strasbourg produced a commanding 4-1 victory away to Lille, underlining their form in Ligue 1 just days after the midfielder’s Africa Cup of Nations success with Senegal.
The result, secured in the 19th round of the French league, saw Strasbourg deliver one of their most convincing performances of the season on a difficult away ground.
Fresh from lifting the continental title in 2025, Sarr slotted seamlessly back into club action, helping his side control the tempo of the match and impose themselves from the outset.
Speaking after the final whistle, the Senegal international admitted he was still drawing motivation from his recent international triumph. “I’m still on cloud nine, I’m so happy for the team.
Coming here to Lille and scoring four goals isn’t easy. Today we did it, so I’m very happy,” he said, reflecting on both the performance and the significance of the result.
Sarr also highlighted the atmosphere he encountered upon returning to Strasbourg following his time with the national team, describing a strong sense of unity within the squad. “The guys gave me a fantastic welcome.
Even today, they were still chanting my name,” he added, underlining the bond between the players and the positive mood in the dressing room.
The victory against Lille not only strengthened Strasbourg’s league position but also sent a clear signal about their ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.
Winning so convincingly away from home, against opposition known for their resilience, will provide further confidence as the season enters a demanding phase.
For Sarr, the challenge now is to maintain momentum and quickly shift focus to the next fixture. The midfielder stressed the importance of continuity and collective effort, particularly with a major test on the horizon.
“We’ll keep going. We’re playing Paris next week, and we’ll hope to have a good game at home and bring back the three points,” he said.
That upcoming match is expected to provide a stern examination of Strasbourg’s progress, but performances such as the one in Lille suggest a side growing in belief and cohesion.
Sarr’s smooth transition back into club football, coupled with his leadership and recent success on the international stage, appears to have added an extra dimension to Strasbourg’s midfield.
As the league campaign unfolds, Strasbourg will look to build on this statement victory, while Sarr aims to translate his continental success into sustained influence at club level. For now, his winning return has set the tone for what could be a defining period in Strasbourg’s season.
“𝘑𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘦 𝘴𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘪𝘵 𝘯𝘶𝘢𝘨𝘦”
La réac’ de Mamadou Sarr après la très belle victoire face à Lille 🎙️
▸ #LOSCRCSA pic.twitter.com/GRdmIYCYBr
— Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace (@RCSA) January 26, 2026
