Mali international Hamari Traoré is preparing to make his long-awaited return to the national team following a period of suspension and injury.
A delegation from the Malian Football Federation (Femafoot), including First Vice-President Silvain Diakité and Team Manager Samba Sow, met with the right-back on April 2 in Spain to discuss his reintegration into the squad.
Commitment to the Eagles
During the meeting, Traoré reaffirmed his dedication to the national team, confirming his availability for the Eagles’ upcoming fixtures.
His return now appears imminent, marking the end of a challenging chapter in his international career.
The former captain was suspended last June after publicly criticizing logistical shortcomings during Mali’s trip to Madagascar for a 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
Despite being recalled in September 2024, he was unable to make his comeback due to a torn cruciate ligament that sidelined him for months.
A potential return in June
Now fully recovered, the 32-year-old defender is expected to feature in Mali’s matches in June, as hinted by head coach Tom Saintfiet.
His experience and leadership could be a crucial asset as the Eagles prepare for upcoming international fixtures.
Le premier vice-président de la Fédération Malienne de Football, Moussa Silvain Diakité, accompagné du Manager général des #Aigles, Samba Sow, a rencontré ce mercredi 2 avril 2025, en Espagne, l’international malien @hamari27 pic.twitter.com/meISt2cGaM
— FEMAFOOT (@femafoot) April 2, 2025
Traoré, who plays for Real Sociedad in Spain’s La Liga, remains one of Mali’s most experienced players, having represented the national team for over a decade.
His return will bolster a squad that has shown promise but continues to seek stability on and off the pitch.
With the dispute now behind him and his injury concerns resolved, Traoré’s comeback could provide Mali with a major boost as they look ahead to World Cup qualifiers and other international commitments.
