Cheikh Tidiane Sabaly has reached a personal milestone in what has become a breakout campaign for the FC Metz forward, scoring his 15th goal of the Ligue 2 season over the weekend in a clash against Laval.
The Senegalese international has firmly established himself among the league’s top attacking threats, currently ranking as the fourth-highest scorer in Ligue 2.
Among African players in the division, only Jean-Philippe Krasso has found the net more frequently this season.
Sabaly’s goal-scoring form marks a significant turning point in his career, which began in far more modest fashion.
The 26-year-old was developed at the renowned Génération Foot academy in Senegal—a club known for producing elite talent—but his early years in France were marked by challenges and inconsistency.
After arriving in France in 2018, Sabaly initially struggled to make an impact. He spent time in the third-tier Championnat National, turning out for Pau FC and later US Quevilly-Rouen.
It was during these years that he laboured to find stability and consistent playing time, often operating under the radar in the lower tiers of French football.
However, his return to FC Metz in 2022 marked a turning point. Since rejoining the club, Sabaly has gradually emerged as one of the key players in Metz’s campaign.
The 2024–25 season has been particularly fruitful, as he’s combined speed, technical skill, and clinical finishing to become a vital attacking presence.
His tally of 15 goals is not only a personal best but a testament to the progress he has made since his professional debut.
It’s a season that reflects both persistence and growth, underlining how far Sabaly has come since his difficult early years in European football.
FC Metz, who are aiming for promotion back to Ligue 1, have benefited significantly from Sabaly’s form. His goals have often come at crucial moments, providing the team with much-needed momentum during a competitive campaign.
Whether playing wide on the wing or drifting centrally, his ability to unlock defences and convert chances has made him indispensable.
For Sabaly, this season represents a long-awaited breakthrough—a culmination of years of effort and adaptation in French football.
At 26, he is hitting his stride at a critical point in his career, and his performances are beginning to draw wider recognition.
Though much attention in Ligue 2 has been directed towards the league’s top scorers, Sabaly’s rise has not gone unnoticed, particularly among fans of FC Metz, who have seen the winger evolve into one of the side’s most reliable contributors.
As the season progresses, Sabaly will look to build on his current tally and continue leading Metz’s push for a return to the top flight.
With form, confidence, and fitness on his side, the winger is poised to finish what has already become a landmark season in his professional journey.
