History retains the winners, even the most discreet. Moustapha Name is one of them. Like Sadio Mané, Édouard Mendy or Kalidou Koulibaly, the Dakarois has been African champion since February 6, 2022. Even if the midfielder of Paris FC did not play a second of play during the CAN, he came back reboosted from this Cameroonian epic. The one who has just celebrated his 27th birthday now has two objectives: to discover the first division, and to play in the next World Cup in Qatar.
Moustapha Name is a discreet man, and a serious player. While his Paris FC teammates return to the locker room, the midfielder rehearses his ranges and works on his free kicks. “Mouss” or “Mousti” for friends is not used to the spotlight, but yet it is he who takes the light at the end of the season.
” He is decisive, especially on set pieces “, Appreciates his club coach Thierry Laurey. It must be said that Moustapha Name has scored two free kicks and a penalty in recent matches. Enough to dub him with the supporters, who voted him the club’s best player for the second consecutive season.
” He’s someone we hold in high esteem. “, Continues the former Strasbourg technician. ” At the moment it is going very well! He’s really a player who came back reinvigorated from the CAN, with the title of Senegal, and that obviously does us a lot of good. He progressed technically, physically and above all mentally. He is a boy with enormous potential, who can aim much higher “.
Progress observed since February 6, 2022, when Senegal defeated Egypt in the CAN final in Cameroon. Moustapha Name, who watched his team’s journey from the bench throughout the competition, cannot hold back his tears.
” It was important to be part of this wonderful group “, confides in his soft voice the Dakarois. ” A competition is not just eleven players, it’s a whole team: training is important, like the moments of everyday life. It takes a good state of mind “, Considers the slender middle, in a very calm tone. ” Me, I was not satisfied to be only in the group. Winning the CAN is wonderful, but everyone wants to play, me first. On the other hand, if you don’t play, there’s no point in sulking. It won’t make you play tomorrow, it’s the coach’s choice, you have to respect it. I’m on the right track, I continue to progress in the club, and I’m called up, even if I don’t play a lot. I work and I know my time will come. »
In the meantime, the player who has just celebrated his 27th birthday was celebrated as it should be by his club on his return from Cameroon.
“ When I returned, the club gave me a really warm welcome. Frankly I did not expect it! “, concedes in a shy smile Moustapha Name. ” It really touched me, because they didn’t have to. They made me a cake, gifts and sent me messages throughout the CAN. Its very important “.
A party in which the entire Paris FC club took part, including coach Thierry Laurey: ” The whole club came, we received him on the premises to make him understand that we were very proud of him. Admittedly, he is not an indisputable starter in the Senegal team, but he is a boy who has participated in this title in his own way. Players who do not play or play little are essential, you have to have a remarkable state of mind. Mouss is precisely someone who is very, very calm, very discreet. He is one of the sages in my locker room. »
A sage for some, a big brother for others. Trained at AS Dakar Sacré-Coeur, the one who now has 5 caps with Senegal found his compatriot Lamine Gueye, 24, very proud of his teammate at the PFC.
” That he is selected is already a very good thing! “, savors the winger. “ Now it’s up to Aliou Cissé to make him scratch some playing time (laughter). He is a hard worker, he works well, he is humble. He’s someone I really like. It was huge for me to see him African champion, because 3 years ago we played together in Pau (then in National, the 3rd French division, Editor’s note). It went very quickly for him, and it was with great happiness that I followed him during the CAN. He gave me news all the time. As Senegalese, we were all happy, because we had been waiting for it for a very long time. »
A title that calls for others: the World Cup is coming soon, and a rise in Ligue 1 is always possible.
” The World Cup, they are already qualified “, notes Thierry Laurey. ” We, the Ligue 1, we are not there yet (Paris FC will have to go through the accession roadblocks, Editor’s note). But whether at the PFC or elsewhere, I think Mouss has the ability to play in the first division, whether in France or abroad. At 27, he still has a future ahead of him. Time flies, it’s true, but that’s the main goal he has to set for himself today “.
Ligue 1 objective, and World objective: the future could be bright for this discreet hero.