Mamadou Sarr opens up on Virgil van Dijk comparison

Senegal defender Mamadou Sarr has reacted to the comparison with Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk.

The young centre-back was a revelation at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations where he played three games in the Teranga Lions’ journey to claiming their second continental title.

Following an injury to captain Kalidou Koulibaly, the 20-year-old center-back stepped in and played the full 120 minutes in a 1-0 victory over hosts Morocco.

His blistering output at the 2025 AFCON tournament coupled with a high level performance at Strasbourg, his parent club Chelsea were forced to recall him from his loan spell in January.

Mamadou Sarr was a 2025 AFCON revelation

Often compared with Virgil van Dijk, Mamadou Sarr said: “I love Van Dijk. They called me that when I was younger. But some people also tell me I play like Ibrahima Konate. It’s very similar,” Sarr told ESPN.

“He’s a leader. For a defender, it’s very important to be a leader. Off and on the pitch, I talk a lot. It’s an important job.

“I think I anticipate well. With the ball, I can pick a good pass.

“When I was a kid, I had a dream. It was to be the best centre-back in the world.”

Sarr, who represented France at all youth levels, has so far played four matches for Senegal. He is yet to make his English Premier League debut despite making his first appearance in the FA Cup fourth round against Hull City.

He previously played for Ligue 1 club Olympique Lyon, Belgium outfit RWDM before he was snapped up by Chelsea in their “buy-them-young” project.