After only two matches played with French Ligue 2 side FC Metz, Senegalese midfielder Lamine Camara is already making a positive impression since joining from Génération Foot in early February. The 19-year-old was awarded with Ligue 2’s Young Player of the Month award for April due to his performances in victories for Metz over Bordeaux and Saint-Étienne. In its announcement the French second division pointed out that Camara was the only player in the division born in 2004 or later who had an assist in April and also had ten ball recoveries during the month, second among players in the same age range.
Camara was previously awarded as the Player of the Tournament at the 2023 Africa U-20 Cup of Nations by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for his performances during Senegal’s run to the trophy. This honor came after Camara won the award for Best Young Player of the Group Stage and was also named in the Team of the Tournament by CAF during Senegal’s participation at the 2022 African Nations Championship (CHAN) played earlier this year.
Watch Camara’s assist for Metz from the club’s 3-1 victory at Saint-Étienne below, a match where he also received his first red card in European football. With four matches remaining in the Ligue 2 season, Metz are in third place and three points behind Bordeaux in their pursuit of promotion to Ligue 1 which requires a finish in first or second place. Because of the important matches Metz has coming up, Camara will not join the Senegal under-20 national team for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup later this month in Argentina.
