Baldé Diao Keita, the promising 19-year-old player currently with Lazio in Rome and formerly trained at FC Barcelona, has declined an offer to play for his home country, at least for the time being. Despite efforts from Alain Giresse during his European tour to persuade dual nationals, Keita has expressed his preference for Spain, where he was born on March 8, 1995.
Giresse expressed his disappointment, stating, “I spoke with his club, and they informed me that the youngster is more inclined towards Spain. Given his birth in the country and Spain’s prior interest, this decision is understandable.”
Having initially trained with FC Barcelona, Keita eventually joined Lazio in 2012 and has become a key player for the team this season.
In light of Keita’s decision, Giresse has shifted his focus to other young Senegalese talents. Among them, Lys Gomis may make an appearance during the upcoming match against Mali in Paris on March 5th. “Despite not being the first-choice goalkeeper for Torino, Lys Gomis brings valuable experience, coupled with his youth. I am eager to work with him,” noted the national coach. Additionally, Giresse expressed optimism about the emerging talent from various leagues, including Italy, Spain, England, and Belgium, suggesting that these young players will contribute significantly to Senegal’s future success.
