Brice Samba, RC Lens goalkeeper, was called up to the France team for the first time by Didier Deschamps for the March 2023 rally.
Didier Deschamps made his choice: Brice Samba was finally preferred to Alban Lafont for the position of third goalkeeper for the France team, in support of Mike Maignan and Alphonse Areola. The RC Lens goalkeeper will therefore join the Blues for the first time for the qualifying matches for Euro 2024 against the Netherlands (March 24) and Ireland (March 27). During the press conference announcing the list of 23 selected this Thursday, Didier Deschamps mentioned the large number of goalkeepers who can claim the succession of the Lloris-Mandanda duo, now withdrawn from the group.
“I will add the two goalkeepers who are in the Espoirs selection, who are also contenders. When I make a choice, it is for one and to the detriment of the other. Obviously Alban [Alban Lafont , gardien du FC Nantes -NDR] would also deserve,” said Didier Deschamps. “Because of what Brice Samba has been doing since the start of the season, it’s interesting to see him with us. We are talking about goalkeepers who perform well with their clubs, but who have no international experience with the France team. In two months it could change too. The criteria remain essentially sporting,” said the coach.
Who is Brice Samba?
Born April 25, 1994, in Linzolo, Republic of Congo, Brice Samba quickly got into football. His father was a Congo international goalkeeper. In France, the son invests in the same position. He played at Pacy Vallée d’Eure (2001-2002) and at ALM d’Evreux 2002-2006). He then joined Le Havre in 2006, a club in which he passed in all categories. In 2010, Brice Samba signed pro and thus became the youngest player to take this label in the history of the club.
Marseille, who was interested in this young profile, recruited him in 2013. In the Marseille city, the legend ofOM Steve Mandanda is a taulier who takes up too much space. Brice Samba therefore had to find playing time first in Nancy (2015-2016), then in Caen, which hired him in 2017. After two seasons in Normandy, the goalkeeper is spotted by Nottingham Forest who decided to hire his services in 2019.
In England, Brice Samba has shown himself greatly, especially in the semi-finals of the Premier League climb dams. During the match against Sheffield United he saved three decisive penalties that were synonymous with the final at Wembley. This dazzling performance did not go unnoticed in Ligue 1 and in particular in Lens, which wanted to display greater ambitions in 2022. And the Sang et Or were right because, in the cages, the number 30 is a key element of success. northerner, third in the Championship this season.
On a personal level, Brice Samba married in 2019 with Jessica Grondin Samba who is a businesswoman. They both had two little girls Talia and Ava.
Brice Samba begins to appear among the experienced goalkeepers of the French Championship. At almost 29 years old, he guards the cages of the RC Lens.
Brice Samba was born to Congolese parents, originally from Linzolo in the Republic of Congo. He also holds French nationality.
A striker generally earns more than a goalkeeper. Few keepers earn more than outfield players. Brice Samba’s salary is currently unknown but the player is expected to earn several thousand euros per week.
Trained in Le Havre, Brice Samba began a professional career in this Normandy club before being spotted by Olympique de Marseille, which recruited him. However, the Marseille club did not give him a chance. He was indeed loaned by the Marseillais to Nancy before joining Caen who recruited him from 2017 to 2019. That same year he walked the English lawns of Nottingham Forest. Fate, however, wanted him to return to Ligue 1. He is now playing at RC Lens.
It’s simple, whether in the A’s or in other categories, Brice Samba has never been called up to the France team. On March 24, 2022, in the match against the Netherlands, he will celebrate his first selection, even if it is very unlikely to see him on the pitch.