View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Soccer Laduma (@soccer_laduma)

Login

Kalidou Koulibaly: I Never Regretted Choosing Senegal Over France

Kalidou Koulibaly: I Never Regretted Choosing Senegal Over France

Napoli star defender Kalidou Koulibaly has explained why does not regret turning down France to represent Lions of Teranga.

Koulibaly was born in Frace and raised by his Senegalese parents, which made him eligble to represent either of the two countries.

The defender eventually opted to represent Senegal and went on to make his debut in 2015 and while France won the 2018 World Cup, the 30-year-old insists he has never regretted the decision.

"It's a choice I've been thinking about for a whole year, whether to play with Senegal or France," Koulibaly told Calciomercato.

"Then with the help of my parents, my friends the decision came almost natural.

Ansu Fati (debuted for Spain, born in Guinea-Bissa
Ansu Fati (debuted for Spain, born in Guinea-Bissau)
Adama Traore (debuted for Spain, was eligible for
Adama Traore (debuted for Spain, was eligible for Mali)
Houssem Aouar (debuted for France, was eligible fo
Houssem Aouar (debuted for France, was eligible for Algeria)
Bukayo Saka (accepted England call-up, still eligi
Bukayo Saka (accepted England call-up, still eligible for Nigeria)
Eduardo Camavinga (debuted for France, born for An
Eduardo Camavinga (debuted for France, born for Angola)
Dayot Upamecano (debuted for France, was eligible
Dayot Upamecano (debuted for France, was eligible for Guinea-Bissau)
Jeremy Doku (debuted for Belgium, was eligible for
Jeremy Doku (debuted for Belgium, was eligible for Ghana)
Dodi Lukebakio (accepted Belgium call-up, has alre
Dodi Lukebakio (accepted Belgium call-up, has already represented DR Congo)
Philip Billing (debuted for Denmark, was eligible
Philip Billing (debuted for Denmark, was eligible for Nigeria)
Ruben Semedo (debuted for Portugal, was eligible f
Ruben Semedo (debuted for Portugal, was eligible for Cape Verde)

"When I'm with the other players I feel at home. I have never regretted it, not even in 2018 when France won the World Cup. Maybe if I had been there the cup would not have arrived, I believe in people's destiny.

"They deserved it and I am very happy for France but I hope that one day I will raise it with Senegal."

Related tags

Comments

Top 5

FIFA President Singles Out African Side After CWC Exit

Jun 28, 2025 05:22 PM in FIFA-Club-World-Cup

Sundowns Star Gets Big Praise From USA

Jun 29, 2025 11:00 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Pyramids ‘Set’ Mayele Price Tag

Jun 27, 2025 11:28 AM in African Football

How Much Each African Side Made At CWC ‘Revealed’

Jun 29, 2025 05:31 PM in FIFA-Club-World-Cup

Sundowns Set To Wrap Up Latest Signing?

Jun 30, 2025 09:47 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

Chiefs Links Won’t Go Away: Human Breaks Silence

Jul 01, 2025 10:50 AM in Siyagobhoza

Agent: How Pirates Secured Striker After 5-Year Agreement

Jul 01, 2025 10:54 AM in Orlando-Pirates

What Awaits Chiefs In The Netherlands

Jun 27, 2025 12:51 PM in Fan Park

Downs Make A Call On Loaned Out Players?

Jul 01, 2025 10:01 AM in Mamelodi-Sundowns

MasterChef Is A Buccaneer: Fans React To Mbule Deal

Jun 24, 2025 04:29 PM in Fan Park