Former captain of the France Espoirs team, Abdou Diallo now defends the colors of Senegal. The defender of Paris Saint-Germain honored his first cap against the Congo on March 26, 2021, in the CAN 2021 qualifiers. A choice that some do not understand. But the neo Lion of Teranga assumes perfectly.

This is the big blow struck by the Senegal team during the last two days of the CAN 2021 qualifiers. Promised to an international career in Blues, Abdou Diallo finally chooses the Lair. A choice, like so many others, that some link to a despair of one day wearing the colors of France. His country of birth, whose defender of Paris Saint-Germain has yet sported all the tunics in small categories. Some might still have trouble understanding this choice to turn their backs on the Blues.

“It’s not a lack of ambition”

Many are surprised, in fact, to see a player with such enormous potential opt for an African selection when the doors of the France team were not completely closed to him. The decision disturbs some. But the interested party assumes. “It’s not a lack of ambition or a fear. I was in the ideal position to think about the Blues. If tomorrow, for six months, I freak out in Paris, the France team would necessarily be interested in me. », Explains the neo Lion in the columns of L’Equipe . A clear focus for those who find fault in his choice.

Abdou Diallo therefore remains straight in his boots. Because there is one constant in his decision, it is his attachment to his dual culture and his dual nationality. “I have two beautiful cultures, two beautiful nationalities. Then you have to make a choice. But that doesn’t make me someone who is less French. Or more Senegalese. I am just Abdou Diallo with my background, my life. And today, it is a force. My French culture, I will always have it. But I am also Senegalese, and that either, one will never be able to take it away from me. ”, Continues the former Monegasque.

“We cannot deny ourselves”

The Franco-Senegalese defender thus cuts the grass under the feet of detractors of binationals.  “I am not an exceptional case.  The position of binational may be difficult to understand for some.  Even disturbing … It bothers some that players can move from one selection to another.  But that’s how it is, it’s our right, our identity.  We cannot deny ourselves.  We don’t want to deny ourselves.  No one will take away my double culture.  It is my strength.  », He  asserts.  At least that has the merit of being clear.  So, to the best of my mind …