Traore, who won the competition’s Golden Ball in 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup, helped Mali finish third in the tournament.
DOHA: Mali playmaker Adama Traore has already left his mark in the 2015 FIFA U-20 World Cup like Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero and Paul Pogba and said that he was very proud to follow in the footsteps of the stars.
“I was very proud to follow in the footsteps of stars like them,” Traore told FIFA.com. “Not many people can say they’ve won that award. I’m aware, though, that my career doesn’t compare to theirs. All the same, it’s a source of motivation for me and it pushes me to work even harder to win new trophies.”
Traore, who won the competition’s adidas Golden Ball in 2015, helped Mali take third place in the tournament.
“I was very proud to follow in the footsteps of stars like them,” Traore told FIFA.com. “Not many people can say they’ve won that award. I’m aware, though, that my career doesn’t compare to theirs. All the same, it’s a source of motivation for me.”
Adama Traore
But within a few weeks of his impressive New Zealand 2015 campaign, and after signing for French club AS Monaco, he suffered a serious ankle injury.
“I’ve been through some tough times since that injury,” said the midfielder, who played only 15 games between 2016 and 2019. “It’s been a long, long way back to full fitness and it’s only been this season that I’ve started to feel good and get my form back.”
In a loan spell with Metz, he has played more matches this year than in the previous three. In the process, he showed he has not lost his gift for the game.
Mali, a regular presence at the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, are hoping to reach the FIFA World Cup for the first time in their history, with the second round of the continent’s qualifying competition set to begin later this year.
“I’ve played at the U-20 World Cup and I have some wonderful memories of it,” he said. “I can barely imagine what it’s like to play at the World Cup. It’s what every player dreams of. If we work hard, stick at it and stick together, we can qualify.” (Source: FIFA)
