Jean-François Pérès 9:00 a.m., October 18, 2021

Visiting Cameroon for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations, El-Hadji Diouf, ex-Senegalese international and former Ligue 1 resident, gives us his opinion on the CAN, the national team, the Golden Ball and Lionel Messi in a fascinating interview. 

 The double African Golden Ball (2001 and 2002) is visiting Cameroon, which will host the next CAN in January 2022. Without filter, the 40-year-old Senegalese evokes the Senegalese national team and the importance of the country in relation to to clubs.

The former Lensois is also very critical of the Ballon d'Or and the non-selection of Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy. 

“Cameroon is ready”

El-Hadji Diouf, former player of RC Lens (2000-2002) and Liverpool in particular (2002-2005) is currently in Cameroon to visit the facilities of the African Cup of Nations. He said he was reassured: "Whether it is the stadiums, training grounds and hospitals, Cameroon is ready. The kick-off is given." As a reminder, the CAN will take place from January 9 to February 6, 2022. Algeria has held the title since 2019, the 2021 edition having been postponed because of the health crisis. 

The former Senegalese international returned to the controversies Andy Delort and Neymar: "I have a message for Andy Delort: He can stop, it's his choice. But with such a flamboyant team, it's not normal. They have a wonderful group that can go far at CAN. And for Neymar, I don't know what happened to him but I don't understand. "

He then insisted that the players should do everything to be available with their selections: "For me, the national team is sacred! We must even give ourselves more with our national team than in club! Because when you stop football and when you get home you will be a legend for life. "

The favorite Senegal of the CAN?

Whoever considers himself the big brother of Senegalese footballers is forever grateful to his country and would like the younger players not to look to other countries: "Today, what Senegal gave me, I will never be able to give it back to him. That's why I tell my young brothers not to wait for European countries. If you tell me that you are waiting for France, Germany .. for me, it's unforgivable "he warns. According to Diouf, the Teranga Lions "are among the best in the world. Kalidou Koulibaly, Abdoulaye Diallo, Sadio Mané, Gana Gueye, Edouard Mendy… they are very great players.

When he mentioned Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy, El-Hadji Diouf couldn't help himself.

"He is the best goalkeeper in the world and he is not part of the selected for the Ballon d'Or while the Italian goalkeeper [Donnarumma, note] is in! It's scandalous. He had to be part of the top 3. If Chelsea has changed, it is thanks to Thomas Tuchel and Edouard Mendy. "

So, when asked which player deserves the award, he is unanimous and very laudatory towards Lionel Messi: "It shows that a person can run a club like Barcelona for years. Today he is gone and you see how they are suffering. He wins the Copa America being the best player. What he has done is extraordinary. Messi, he changes everything. I think he is the best player in history. "