Emile Doucouré turns his back on Belgium for Mali!

At just 17 years old, Emile Doucouré has made his decision: from now on, he'll don the colors of the Mali Eagles!

The young goalkeeper, who came up through the ranks in Belgium, has just agreed to join Mali's U21 squad for the 2025 Maurice Revello Tournament, set for June in Toulon, according to Les Aigles du Mali.

Born in Belgium to a Belgian mother and Malian father, Doucouré was a regular fixture in Belgium's youth squads, from U16 up to U18, until recently.

The Antwerp native was even called up by Belgium as recently as last March. However, the Beerschot VA shot-stopper has now made a bold and symbolic choice, committing himself to the country of his roots.

A well-considered decision

It's worth noting that despite a serious injury that temporarily slowed his rise at the start of the current season, Doucouré bounced back with determination. After establishing himself as the starting goalkeeper for the reserves, he made his professional debut in the Jupiler Pro League, featuring in the relegation play-offs.

His imposing frame (1.93m), maturity, and lightning reflexes have already caught the eye of clubs like Anderlecht, Club Brugge, and even Wolverhampton.

Now, it's in Malian colors that the young keeper hopes to reach the next level. A carefully weighed decision that could well prove a turning point in his career.

Amine Jomni |

Editorfr

African football writer and sports journalist covering football news, stories and insights while sharing his expertise with fans across the continent.