Lamine Sy has made his international intentions clear, saying he would choose to represent Senegal and describing the decision as a natural extension of his family roots and upbringing.
The AJ Auxerre defender, who was born in Les Mureaux in France, has spoken openly about his pride in his Senegalese origins, stressing that there is “no question” about which national colours he hopes to defend in the future.
For Sy, the Lions of Teranga are not just a sporting ambition but a personal commitment shaped by his family history.
Trained at the renowned Clairefontaine academy, Sy followed a development path familiar to many young players raised in the French system.
He continued his formation at SM Caen before gaining further experience with FC Rouen, steps that helped shape his career before his move to Auxerre at the start of the current season.
Since joining AJA, the full-back has been working to establish himself, relying on his pace, agility and defensive awareness.
Despite being eligible to play for France, Sy has already reflected deeply on his identity and the meaning of international football.
He credits his parents, and particularly his father, with instilling in him a strong attachment to Senegal and its culture.
That influence, he says, has guided his thinking as his career progresses.
“My parents taught me to be proud of my origins. My father is very attached to Senegal and has always passed on this love for the country to us. The choice of the heart is natural. Wearing the Senegal jersey and representing my parents’ country would be a huge source of pride. My goal is to make my parents and my whole family proud,” the player stated.
Those words underline how personal the decision is for the Auxerre defender, who views international football as more than a professional milestone.
Representing Senegal would, in his eyes, symbolise a bond between generations and a way of honouring his family’s story.
For now, Sy remains focused on his club responsibilities, continuing his development in Ligue 1 while working to refine his game.
“Mes parents m’ont appris à être fier de mes origines. Mon père est très attaché au Sénégal et nous a toujours transmis cet amour du pays. Le choix du cœur est naturel. Porter le maillot du Sénégal et représenter le pays de mes parents serait une immense fierté. Mon objectif est… pic.twitter.com/3AW4TSCE9g
— Tanou Diallo (@TanouDiallo18) February 7, 2026
However, his comments leave little doubt about where his international future lies should the opportunity arise.
As Senegal continue to draw on players developed both at home and abroad, Sy’s declaration reflects a wider trend among members of the diaspora who see wearing the national jersey as a matter of identity as much as ambition.
For the young defender, the message is simple: the choice, as he puts it, comes from the heart.
