Abdoulaye Faye talks club and national team ambitions

Senegal youth international Abdoulaye Faye has discussed his adaptation to Europe, his progress as a young player and ambitions, particularly with the Senegalese national team.

Trained at Diambars FC, the young central defender continues his development on the European stage.

After stints with Swedish club BK Häcken and then Bayer Leverkusen, he is currently on loan at FC Lorient, where he is gradually establishing himself in Ligue 1.

Faye won U-17 tournament with Senegal

The 21-year-old had a difficult start after an injury sidelined him for several months but returned to continue hardwork.

“At first, it was a bit tough for me because I was coming back from injury. I was out for five months with a fractured metatarsal. But little by little, I adapted,” he said in an interview with the newspaper L’Observateur.

He quickly became aware of the demands of top-level football and quickly made adjustments.

Faye graduated from the famed Diambars academy

“After my first real match, I thought, ‘Wow!’ The level is very high, and there’s also the intensity.”

Under Olivier Pantoloni’s guidance, the young defender has made significant tactical progress, crediting the French manager for his development.

‘I had weaknesses in my positioning, but I’ve improved a lot in that area. The coach helps me tremendously; he mentors me like a father.”

The defender gave plaudits to his father, Pape Ibrahima Faye, who was a former coach of Senegal’s U17 team for his support during his formative years.

‘He’s my first coach. After every match, he’s the first person I call. He tells me what I need to correct.”

Faye also has his sights set on the next stage of his career after his loan move ends.

“After this loan, I dream of playing for Bayer Leverkusen, especially if they’re playing in the Champions League. I want to seize my opportunity.”

A former U17 international, having won the WAFU U17 Championship in 2021 in Senegal, he continues to harbor great ambitions of playing for the senior national team.

“Representing your country is a wonderful thing. If it happens, great, if not, I’ll keep working. But playing for the national team is something we all dream of.”

Faye has played 14 games out of the 31 league matches cleared as Lorient sit in 9th on 41 points.