Naby Keita has expressed his willingness to return to the Guinea national team, signaling a potential comeback as the Syli National enters a fresh chapter following the departure of former head coach Michel Dussuyer.
The 30-year-old midfielder, who has been absent from Guinea’s senior squad since the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, made his most recent international appearance at the 2024 Olympic Games, where he featured for the U23 side under coach Kaba Diawara.
Despite his continued availability, he was overlooked by Dussuyer throughout his tenure.
With the Frenchman now dismissed, Keita is once again ready to don the national colours.
“It doesn’t just depend on me. If it were up to me, I would be in the national team every day,” Keita said, underlining his commitment to the Syli National. “I’ve always been available for the Syli National and, throughout my career, I’ve prioritized the national team.”
The former Liverpool midfielder, currently seeking consistency in his club career, believes Guinea’s problems extend beyond player selection.
He offered a broader critique of the national team’s management and approach to long-term development.
“There are a lot of things to resolve to build a successful team. A project is built over time, with evaluations at each stage. But we want everything right away,” he said, suggesting that a rushed pursuit of results has hindered progress.
Reflecting on recent disappointments, including Guinea’s underwhelming performance in the AFCON qualifiers, Keita emphasized the importance of unity and long-term planning.
“When you look at the results that followed, you can’t say that the decisions paid off,” he added. “The results in the CAN qualifiers hurt us all. Now we have to get back to work and start again on a solid foundation.”
Keita’s remarks are a rallying call for reform and reflection within Guinean football, as the team prepares for upcoming continental challenges.
With a new coaching regime expected to take charge, his potential return could offer both experience and leadership to a side in need of direction.
For now, the ball is in the hands of the incoming technical staff.
Whether they see Keita as part of Guinea’s future remains to be seen, but the door is clearly open from the player’s side.
