Amara Diouf cannot leave Senegal before June 2026, Metz announces

Courted by several European clubs, Amara Diouf is forced to wait until his 18th birthday before he can legally leave Senegal and experience a league outside his homeland. FC Metz has clarified the situation of the young Senegalese winger, who is currently sidelined with a long-term injury.

During a press conference on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, the Metz club president gave an update on the squad and addressed the status of several players. Among the names mentioned, Bernard Serin spoke about Amara Diouf. The Senegalese revelation from the 2023 U15 AFCON currently plays for Génération Foot, a partner club of FC Metz.

Amara Diouf to Fenerbahçe, just rumors? Metz responds

Linked with a move to Fenerbahçe, Amara Diouf remains grounded in Senegal for now. At 17, the Génération Foot prodigy is not allowed to cross borders to join a European club, regardless of the offers on the table. The FC Metz president made this crystal clear to the media. His current contract with the Dakar-based club expires this summer, and the Grenats hope he will agree to an extension.

"We would like him to extend his contract at Génération Foot because he cannot leave Senegal before he turns 18. That's the rule. He is 17. He is required to sign his next contract in Senegal. Even if it's just for a year, he cannot leave Senegal before his 18th birthday, which is in mid-June 2026," stated Bernard Serin.

An injury stalls the rise of a precocious talent

Beyond administrative hurdles, Amara Diouf’s physical condition presents another major obstacle. Having already suffered a torn ACL in July 2024, the young winger relapsed during rehabilitation. The verdict is in: a second operation will be required, and his return to action is not expected before January or February 2026.

The Metz president expressed concern but remained clear-eyed. "For a 17-year-old to undergo a second ACL surgery is no small matter from a health perspective," he said. The question now is not just where he will play, but whether he can regain the explosive speed that dazzled at the 2023 U17 AFCON.

FC Metz still betting on Amara Diouf, despite it all

Despite the uncertainty, FC Metz has never turned its back on Amara Diouf. The club maintains close contact with the player and still hopes to welcome him once he's eligible to sign in France. Bernard Serin reaffirmed this with warmth:

"We are very attached to this boy who has enormous qualities. We hope he will choose the sensible path—a full, successful recovery under known conditions."

A promising record despite an abrupt halt

Thrust into the spotlight at the 2023 U17 Africa Cup of Nations, Amara Diouf scored 5 goals in six appearances during the tournament, brilliantly leading Senegal to the continental crown. This performance established him as one of Africa's brightest football prospects. He then earned his first senior cap for Senegal in September 2023 during the 2023 AFCON qualifiers, at just 15 years old.

At club level, his journey remains tied to Génération Foot, with whom he has yet to make a professional appearance due to his age and successive injuries. No goals or assists have been recorded since 2024, but his talent remains undiminished in the eyes of observers. The rest will depend on his health and choices in the crucial months ahead.

Lydiane N'Po |

Editorfr, en

Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.