Malian defender Hamari Traoré balances fresh start at Paris FC with painful exile from national team

Hamari Traoré is preparing for his first official appearance with Paris FC, where he could line up against Brest’s Kamory Doumbia – a former teammate from Mali’s national side – in a Ligue 1 encounter set to stir mixed emotions.

The 33-year-old defender has not worn the Eagles’ jersey for over a year, but the prospect of crossing paths with Doumbia, with whom he once shared the Malian dressing room, brings both nostalgia and pride.

Speaking ahead of the match, Traoré’s face brightened as he recalled his connection with Doumbia, a player he first met as a teenager at the Jean-Marc Guillou academy.

“It is always a pleasure to meet your compatriots,” Traoré said. “And here it is Kamory, a fantastic person. I knew him very young and it makes me proud to see how far he has come.

He represents Mali brilliantly, and I am delighted with what he is doing. I think he will have a great season – but I hope not against us on Sunday, because we want the victory.”

For Traoré, the occasion carries added significance as it marks his return to the club where his professional journey began.

Signing his first senior contract at Paris FC during their time in the National division, he has since forged an impressive career in France with Reims and Rennes, before testing himself in Spain at Real Sociedad.

Now back in familiar surroundings, he is keen to offer his experience to a younger generation.

“I have a role as a guide, as a big brother,” he explained. “Of course, there are other players in the squad who can do that too, but if I can pass on my experience, I do it with pleasure. It is in my nature to help others, to be close to my teammates and give advice where I can.”

That leadership, however, is no longer welcomed at international level. Since June 2024, Traoré has been suspended by the Malian Football Federation after speaking out against what he described as “mismanagement” and a lack of professionalism in the running of the game in his homeland.

His outspoken stance cost him his place with the national team, where he once wore the captain’s armband.

The punishment has left him sidelined from representing his country, but it has not diminished his pride in being Malian. “I am Malian,” Traoré said firmly.

“Every Malian dreams of wearing the colours of the national team. It is a source of pride for me – whether with Mali or here in Paris – to defend my country’s image.

When I play, I represent Mali, I represent my family, the Traorés. I want to be an example for the young people of Mali, as well as for the young players here.”

The right-back’s situation highlights the emotional complexity of his career at this stage: a player celebrated for his consistency and professionalism in European football, yet estranged from the national team he once captained.

For now, his focus is firmly on Paris FC, where he hopes to channel both his passion for the game and his deep sense of responsibility into helping his new club succeed.

As he prepares to face Brest, the clash against Doumbia is more than just a Ligue 1 fixture. It is a reminder of what he has lost, but also of what still drives him – the enduring pride of being Malian and the desire to guide those who come after him.