On his debut for Senegal, Malang Sarr dedicated his first cap to his late father. The defender, who came through the ranks at Nice, also discusses the Lions’ ambitions and his reunion with head coach Patrick Vieira.
On 29 September 2026, in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, Malang Sarr celebrated his very first cap for Senegal. A baptism of fire at 1,800 metres above sea level that ended in a clear victory and a clean sheet for the Lions’ defence, according to Le Soleil.
Looking back on the moment in an exclusive interview with the official media of the Senegalese Football Federation (FSF), relayed by Le Soleil, the left-footed centre-back above all wanted to dedicate it to the memory of his late father, who hailed from the family’s home town of Rufisque. He stressed the immense pride of carrying his family’s name on the national team shirt.
“My whole family is represented”
The emotion is first and foremost a family one. “I obviously think of my father, my parents, my whole family, because it’s not just me living my dream, but having my name on the shirt means my whole family is represented,” the player told FSF media, as quoted by Le Soleil.
Born and raised in Nice, Malang Sarr, a former Nice and RC Lens player, also described the intense emotion he felt on hearing the Senegalese national anthem.
The dressing room and Vieira
The player praised how well he has settled into the Lions’ dressing room, as well as his reunion with national head coach Patrick Vieira, according to remarks gathered by the federation’s official media.
This adaptation comes amid a generational transition the national team is going through, according to Le Soleil, as the Senegalese side aim to stay at the top of the continental game.
Ambitions on show
The defender says the squad must live up to the very demanding expectations of Senegalese supporters. “The ambitions and objectives are as high as those of the Senegalese supporters. We really have the ambition and the intention to give pleasure through our play and above all to give pleasure through victory, because today, that’s what people remember,” he said, again according to Le Soleil.
The player insisted on the importance of giving the public pleasure through good football, but above all through victory and the pursuit of trophies.
The Lions of Teranga’s next gathering is scheduled for November 2026, as they continue their international campaign.