The Player Behind the Name: Naby Keïta, Part Two

The second in our two-part segment, looking at Liverpool’s new number 8.

In Part One of this two-part segment, we looked at Naby Keïta’s football career, and everything he had done as a player for both club and country, prior to officially becoming a Liverpool player on 1 July 2018. In Part Two, we take a closer look at Naby, the man, in his own words.

On his love of football, which began before he could walk

My dad told me that as a baby, I loved the ball - to look at it, to touch it. I always wanted it around me. My mother has told me that anything that would fall from the table, whether it was a bottle of water or an orange, I would dribble with it. Whatever was on the floor that I could kick, I would entertain myself with it. No matter where she would take me, I would do this.

On growing up and playing football in the streets of Koleya, in Conakry, Guinea

We would play anywhere there was open space, which was often on the street and we would have to dodge the cars! I was bumped so many times, but I kept going because I never wanted to lose possession. Nothing could separate me from the ball and I learnt so much from my experiences on the street. We played with whatever we could, and I would have nothing on my feet, or sometimes, play with old, damaged shoes.
I was quite small and so I had to fight for everything: the chance to play, for the ball, to get respect and that’s why not even cars could stop me. It’s where the aggression in my game, which is so important for my position, comes from.

On his parents’ wishes for him and how they felt about his football dreams

They wanted me to study. They felt education was the most important and more stable, but there was nothing else for me but football. They tried and tried, but they could see where my head and my heart was. Everyone in the community would say to them that I’m the best player in Conakry and, eventually, my parents told me they know I’ve got a special gift, so they will fully support my dream.

On what it was like moving away from home at 16 and being rejected at football trials for FC Lorient and Le Mans FC in France

It was more difficult than I could have imagined as everything except the language was different. I was used to playing football with my friends, but now I was with strangers that wanted to mostly keep to themselves.
I did wonder if I would ever make it. It was such a tough time. You have your dream within touching distance, then it falls through and you have to start from the beginning again.
I was never exposed to the professional side of the game. I didn’t grow up in an academy, everything I knew was from the street. I would get the ball, I would run with it, show some skill to beat a player and score. During these trials, coaches were asking me to do things I’d never heard of! They were using football terms that I couldn’t understand and giving instructions that I had no clue about. I didn’t know about tactics and when I was rejected that is what I was told.

On how he felt after signing a three-year deal for FC Istres and scoring on his debut

I had waited so long, had so many setbacks and when I got my first chance, I wanted to prove I belonged in Europe. My parents were still very worried about me. I had to call them six times a day and tell them everything that was happening!

On his move to RB Salzburg and his friendship with Sadio Mané

At first, I wasn’t starting, and it was very frustrating. I didn’t like it and it made the settling-in period harder. But Sadio said: ‘My little brother, stay calm. Your chance will come and when it does, you will make the most of it.’ He helped me with everything - the language, making friends, understanding the club and the city. And, of course, he was right. Once I was put into the team, I showed my qualities, and everything went much smoother. Salzburg improved me as a player and I learnt so much there, I got a really tactical education. Sadio was important for me, he still is! To me, he’s my big brother. He really likes to learn new things, to improve and to push himself and we are the same in this way. He’s a good example for me.

On his father’s love for Liverpool Football Club

My father is a huge fan! As far back as I can remember, he has been talking about them. Before I even knew what Liverpool was as a kid, he was mad about them.
Of course, when he found out about their interest and when the deal for next season was done, he was delighted. He wanted to speak about Istanbul, Steven Gerrard and every other big game or player of the club.

On what it feels like when he goes home to visit, and what motivates him

When I go back to Conakry, there are still children playing on the street without shoes, dodging the cars. I always buy boots when I’m back for as many kids as I can because I know how much it can mean to have something so simple. There’s so much skill and talent in Guinea, it fills me with pride.
I wanted to be Deco, Titi Camara or Pascal Feindouno when I was young, and now there are kids with my name on the back of their shirts! That is such a big motivation for me and I hope I continue to show them that with courage and determination, they can achieve anything.
It doesn’t matter how poor you are, or where you’re from, if you are willing to make sacrifices, willing to work hard and to never stop fighting for your dreams, you can make them happen.

Naby Keïta, welcome to Liverpool F.C. and here’s to making all our dreams come true.

Y.N.W.A.
Up the Mighty Reds!

Source: liverpooloffside.sbnation.com