{"id":263755,"first_name":"Ismaïla","last_name":"Sarr","short_name":"I. Sarr","common_name":"Ismaïla Sarr","place_of_birth":"Saint Louis","gender":"male","height":175,"weight":68,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T06:53:52.466Z","updatedAt":"2025-04-03T08:30:13.736Z","locale":"en","age":27,"stb_id":"ismaila-sarr","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Ismaïla Sarr","top_position":null,"introduction":"Ismaïla Sarr, born on February 25, 1998, in Saint-Louis, Senegal, is a prominent professional footballer known for his dynamic role as a winger or forward. Currently plying his trade with Premier League club Crystal Palace and representing the Senegal national team, Sarr has made significant contributions in club and international football. Among his major achievements are winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal and helping Rennes clinch the Coupe de France. His career has been marked by rapid development, technical brilliance, and pivotal performances in major leagues across Europe.","early_life_and_career":"\n## Early Years\nIsmaïla Sarr was born and raised in Saint-Louis, Senegal, where he developed an early passion for football. Influenced by his environment, Sarr began playing the sport as a child, showing early signs of his potential. The nurturing support from his family played a significant role in shaping his dedication to football, ultimately leading to his enrollment in local academies where his talent was honed.\n\n## Youth Career\nSarr's football journey commenced at Génération Foot, a renowned Senegalese football academy known for producing talented players. At Génération Foot, Sarr honed his skills, showcasing his potential to become a professional footballer. His time at the academy was crucial for his technical and tactical development, setting the stage for his subsequent move to professional football with French club Metz.","professional_career_and_highlights":"\n## Club Career\n### Metz\nIn July 2016, Ismaïla Sarr signed a five-year professional contract with FC Metz, marking the beginning of his European career. He debuted in Ligue 1 on August 13, 2016, in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Lille. Sarr scored his first Ligue 1 goal on February 8, 2017, during a match against Dijon, ending his debut season with five goals and five assists from 31 league appearances.\n\n### Rennes\nOn July 26, 2017, Sarr transferred to Rennes for a reported fee of up to €20 million. Opting for Rennes over a potential move to Barcelona was a pivotal decision, as he believed it was the right next step for his development. During his time at Rennes, Sarr scored significant goals, including crucial ones in the UEFA Europa League, and played an instrumental role in their 2018–19 Coupe de France triumph.\n\n### Watford\nSarr moved to Watford in August 2019 for a club-record fee. He made an immediate impact with his performances, notably netting twice against Liverpool to end their unbeaten run in the 2019–20 Premier League season. Despite relegation, Sarr was Watford's standout player in the following seasons, leading their promotion back to the Premier League in 2020–21.\n\n### Marseille and Crystal Palace\nSarr joined Marseille in July 2023 and continued to impress with his performances, including scoring in a Ligue 1 victory over Brest. In August 2024, he returned to the Premier League with Crystal Palace and quickly proved his worth by scoring in key matches.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nSarr showcased his talent on the international stage early, representing Senegal in the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, contributing to a fourth-place finish.\n\n### Senior National Team\nSarr debuted for Senegal's senior team in 2016 and played a crucial role in the squad that reached the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. In 2021, Sarr was an integral part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations, marking Senegal's first triumph in the tournament. His crucial goals and consistent performances have made him a key figure in Senegal's national team setup.","playing_style_and_skills":"\n## Player Characteristics\nIsmaïla Sarr is known for his explosive speed, agility, and technical prowess, making him a versatile winger or forward. His ability to maneuver past defenders and deliver precise crosses makes him a significant threat down the flanks. Sarr's tactical awareness allows him to contribute defensively when necessary, while his offensive capabilities are underscored by a knack for scoring crucial goals.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nThroughout his career, Sarr has made notable appearances, including key contributions in league matches and international tournaments. His time at Watford saw him scoring a significant number of goals, while his performances for Senegal in international competitions have further cemented his reputation as a top-tier player.\n\n## Records\nSarr has achieved remarkable personal milestones, such as scoring goals against high-caliber teams like Liverpool in the Premier League. His goals have often been not just quantity but also of high quality, with some being recognized in goal of the season lists both in domestic and international competitions.","notable_achievements":"\n## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Coupe de France with Rennes: 2018–19\n- Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal: 2021\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- EFL Championship Goal of the Season: 2022–23\n- UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season shortlist: 2018–19\n- Watford Player of the Season: 2020–21\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nSarr's contributions on the field have been acknowledged with numerous awards, including individual club honors like Watford's Player of the Season. His international impact was recognized when he was awarded the Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion by the President of Senegal after their 2021 AFCON win.","impact_on_sport":"\n## Career Overview\nIsmaïla Sarr's career is marked by his rise through the ranks of Senegalese football to his emergence as a star in European leagues. His impactful performances have been a testament to his development and influence both on club and international stages.\n\n## Off the Field\nWhile specific off-field activities are not detailed in the source, Sarr's image as a professional athlete has been one of dedication and impact, mainly through his performances on the field, contributing positively to his team's success.\n\n## Personal Life\nThe information about Sarr's personal life, such as his family and personal interests, is limited in the sourced article. However, his progression in football reflects a focused and driven individual, passionate about the game and committed to excellence.","stb_internal_id":"01930566-a0c1-7fa9-a65c-a3427e05bd51","overrides":null,"type_code":"attacker","position_type_code":"attacker","detailed_position_type_code":"right-wing","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":null,"introduction_html":"

Ismaïla Sarr, born on February 25, 1998, in Saint-Louis, Senegal, is a prominent professional footballer known for his dynamic role as a winger or forward. Currently plying his trade with Premier League club Crystal Palace and representing the Senegal national team, Sarr has made significant contributions in club and international football. Among his major achievements are winning the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal and helping Rennes clinch the Coupe de France. His career has been marked by rapid development, technical brilliance, and pivotal performances in major leagues across Europe.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Ismaïla Sarr was born and raised in Saint-Louis, Senegal, where he developed an early passion for football. Influenced by his environment, Sarr began playing the sport as a child, showing early signs of his potential. The nurturing support from his family played a significant role in shaping his dedication to football, ultimately leading to his enrollment in local academies where his talent was honed.

Youth Career

Sarr's football journey commenced at Génération Foot, a renowned Senegalese football academy known for producing talented players. At Génération Foot, Sarr honed his skills, showcasing his potential to become a professional footballer. His time at the academy was crucial for his technical and tactical development, setting the stage for his subsequent move to professional football with French club Metz.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Metz

In July 2016, Ismaïla Sarr signed a five-year professional contract with FC Metz, marking the beginning of his European career. He debuted in Ligue 1 on August 13, 2016, in a thrilling 3-2 victory against Lille. Sarr scored his first Ligue 1 goal on February 8, 2017, during a match against Dijon, ending his debut season with five goals and five assists from 31 league appearances.

Rennes

On July 26, 2017, Sarr transferred to Rennes for a reported fee of up to €20 million. Opting for Rennes over a potential move to Barcelona was a pivotal decision, as he believed it was the right next step for his development. During his time at Rennes, Sarr scored significant goals, including crucial ones in the UEFA Europa League, and played an instrumental role in their 2018–19 Coupe de France triumph.

Watford

Sarr moved to Watford in August 2019 for a club-record fee. He made an immediate impact with his performances, notably netting twice against Liverpool to end their unbeaten run in the 2019–20 Premier League season. Despite relegation, Sarr was Watford's standout player in the following seasons, leading their promotion back to the Premier League in 2020–21.

Marseille and Crystal Palace

Sarr joined Marseille in July 2023 and continued to impress with his performances, including scoring in a Ligue 1 victory over Brest. In August 2024, he returned to the Premier League with Crystal Palace and quickly proved his worth by scoring in key matches.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Sarr showcased his talent on the international stage early, representing Senegal in the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, contributing to a fourth-place finish.

Senior National Team

Sarr debuted for Senegal's senior team in 2016 and played a crucial role in the squad that reached the final of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. In 2021, Sarr was an integral part of the team that won the Africa Cup of Nations, marking Senegal's first triumph in the tournament. His crucial goals and consistent performances have made him a key figure in Senegal's national team setup.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Ismaïla Sarr is known for his explosive speed, agility, and technical prowess, making him a versatile winger or forward. His ability to maneuver past defenders and deliver precise crosses makes him a significant threat down the flanks. Sarr's tactical awareness allows him to contribute defensively when necessary, while his offensive capabilities are underscored by a knack for scoring crucial goals.

Performance Statistics

Throughout his career, Sarr has made notable appearances, including key contributions in league matches and international tournaments. His time at Watford saw him scoring a significant number of goals, while his performances for Senegal in international competitions have further cemented his reputation as a top-tier player.

Records

Sarr has achieved remarkable personal milestones, such as scoring goals against high-caliber teams like Liverpool in the Premier League. His goals have often been not just quantity but also of high quality, with some being recognized in goal of the season lists both in domestic and international competitions.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Coupe de France with Rennes: 2018–19
Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal: 2021

Individual Achievements

EFL Championship Goal of the Season: 2022–23
UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season shortlist: 2018–19
Watford Player of the Season: 2020–21

Awards and Recognition

Sarr's contributions on the field have been acknowledged with numerous awards, including individual club honors like Watford's Player of the Season. His international impact was recognized when he was awarded the Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion by the President of Senegal after their 2021 AFCON win.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Ismaïla Sarr's career is marked by his rise through the ranks of Senegalese football to his emergence as a star in European leagues. His impactful performances have been a testament to his development and influence both on club and international stages.

Off the Field

While specific off-field activities are not detailed in the source, Sarr's image as a professional athlete has been one of dedication and impact, mainly through his performances on the field, contributing positively to his team's success.

Personal Life

The information about Sarr's personal life, such as his family and personal interests, is limited in the sourced article. However, his progression in football reflects a focused and driven individual, passionate about the game and committed to excellence.

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Ismaïla Sarr: Profile