Bertrand Sissoko has fulfilled his dream of playing in La Liga after signing his first professional contract with Villarreal, according to his coach, Garba Meicouba.
The 17-year-old Malian defensive midfielder chose the Spanish club over other interested teams because of his ambition to compete in one of Europe’s top leagues.
Speaking, Meicouba highlighted Sissoko’s determination and discipline as key factors behind his rise.
“Bertrand Sissoko chose to play for Villarreal simply because his dream was to play in La Liga. Several other clubs were interested in him, including Brazilian side Palmeiras and Boavista in Portugal. But Sissoko just wanted to play in La Liga. The choice came naturally, as his own wish was to play in the league,” he said.
Sissoko, who developed at the Africa Foot Academy in Bamako, has impressed coaches with his humility and dedication. Meicouba added: “Bertrand is a complete player. He’s humble and devout. He came to the club through a friend who was already playing for us. We’ve seen him develop, and everyone agreed that he could go far one day.”
The young midfielder’s technical ability and understanding of the game were noted during a talent identification tournament in Burkina Faso, where European scouts quickly took notice.
“The contract came about during our trips to Burkina Faso. During that time, several recruiters appreciated his profile. He caught the eye of many European scouts,” Meicouba explained.
Villarreal will be hoping Sissoko can continue his development while contributing to the team as they prepare for their 23rd Spanish league match against Espanyol.
Meicouba is confident that Sissoko has the attitude and skill set to succeed at the top level: “He possesses tremendous qualities. He is humble and always listens to his coaches, which has led to significant progress in his technical skills and positioning on the field.”
With this move, Sissoko becomes the latest Malian talent to take the step into European football, following in the footsteps of players like Moussa Dembélé and Mamadou Tounkara, and reflecting the growing impact of Malian academies on the international stage.
