Pape Matar Sarr writes history after Europa League heroics with Spurs

Sarr (right in Senegal flag): Photo Credit: Tottenham Hotspur.

Senegal has exported great talents to Europe, such as ex-Chelsea FC’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Edouard Mendy, and former Liverpool star El Hadji Diouf. However, none of these achieved Pape Matar Sarr’s feat.

The 22-year-old etched his name in world football folklore after playing an instrumental role in Tottenham Hotspur’s UEFA Europa League title glory on Wednesday evening. After Spurs beat Manchester United 1-0 at Estadio de San Mamés in Bilbao, Sarr became the first Senegalese to win the Europa League.

The Fédération Sénégalaise de Football (FSF) has since recognized the exploits of its youthful export to Europe.

“Congratulations to our player Pape Matar Sarr, winner of the UEFA Europa League with his club Tottenham! On the same occasion, he became the first Senegalese player to win the C3. Well done lion,” FSF’s statement reads.

The midfielder was, by far, amongst the busiest in the middle of the park alongside Malian Yves Bissouma. The former provided an assist from which Brennan Johnson guided the ball past Cameroonian Andre Onana into the net, albeit via the faintest of deflections off a United defender in the 42nd minute.

For Sarr and Bissouma, it is their first trophies in their club careers.

Sarr signed for Spurs from FC Metz ahead of the 2022-23 season. The midfielder made 54 appearances in all competitions this season with six goals and three assists.