Monaco forward Balde Keita talks about his life and career in an interview with L’Equipe, from Lazio to Monaco, from Spain to Senegal. But it all started in Barcelona, when he was nine: “I think that Bacelona’s youth academy, La Masia, is the best in the world. It’s not only about football there, but also about education and personal development. I developed as a footballer there, I improved my technique and I learned how to play possession football”. Then the decision to leave, also because of a practical joke: “I once put some ice in one of my teammate’s bed, but it was only a prank. But that’s more to it than that, they were disappointed in me because of that joke as I was in them for their reaction. So I thought about leaving the club, I had several offers and I was willing my journey elsewhere”.
And his journey took him in Italy, at Lazio: “When I came to Italy, at 16, I learned things that aren’t taught in Spain, the physical and tactical parts of football”. Then the Ligue 1 with Monaco, after a 30 million move in the summer transfer window: “I wanted to leave Lazio, experience a new football style, know different people. I have followed Ligue 1 and Monaco last season, they did great in the league and in the Champions League. My friend Benjamin Mendy, whom I talked to before signing, also spoke highly of the club”.
He spoke also about his role: “You have to have fun when you’re on the pitch, otherwise you’ll never succeed in what you’re doing. I prefer playing on the wings in a 4-3-3, I can play both on the right and on the left but on the pitch I follow my body and my instinct”. The same instinct that led him to choose Senegal over Spain: “I waited for a Spain call-up but then my heart told me to play for Senegal. I took this decision after discussing it with my parents and to me it was an unbelievable feeling to play my first game for the national team in front of my family”.
