Abdoulaye Touré delivered a defining campaign for Le Havre in 2024–25, steering the club to safety in Ligue 1 with a performance level that eclipsed anything seen previously in his professional career.
At 31, the Guinean midfielder became the backbone of Didier Digard’s side, combining leadership, tactical discipline, and a surprising attacking output to help the Normandy club avoid relegation.
Recast as a holding midfielder, Touré didn’t just shield the defence—he transformed into a game-changer.
Ten goals and five assists in 28 appearances marked an extraordinary leap in productivity for a player traditionally seen as a midfield anchor.
Prior to this season, his highest tally in a top-flight campaign was three goals, a mark he reached twice during his years at FC Nantes. This time, he shattered expectations.
Touré’s 2,311 minutes on the pitch made him one of the most relied-upon figures in the Le Havre setup, but it was his flair for timing and his nerve under pressure that truly stood out.
That was most evident on the final day of the season.
In a do-or-die clash against Strasbourg on matchday 34, Le Havre needed a result to stay afloat.
Touré rose to the occasion, scoring twice—including a daring Panenka penalty in the dying minutes—to seal a dramatic 3-2 win and keep his club in the top tier.
“I had only one idea, that the ball would go in. I knew I was going to make a panenka. I told myself that for the story, it could be beautiful and that at worst, if I missed it, we’d go to the play-off. In the end, it went in, so much the better for us, so much the better for the team and for the club because this season has been thrilling,” Touré said post-match.
That decisive contribution ensured Le Havre finished 15th, narrowly escaping the relegation trapdoor that claimed Reims, AS Saint-Étienne, and Montpellier.
Across 288 professional appearances, Touré has now tallied 25 goals—a modest figure, but one that belies the transformative impact of this past season.
His resurgence has not only secured Le Havre’s Ligue 1 future but may also reignite his international prospects with Guinea.
In a season marked by the struggles of promoted teams, Touré’s late-career renaissance has made him a standout presence in the French top flight—an enduring symbol of perseverance and professionalism.
