Coli Saco

Born in Créteil, Saco joined Le Havre's youth sector in 2017, aged 15, before moving to Sochaux one year later.{{Cite web |date=8 May 2019 |title=Le bilan de la saison sochalienne en U17 |url=https://labandeabonal.fr/2019/05/08/le-bilan-de-la-saison-sochalienne-en-u17/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212202/https://labandeabonal.fr/2019/05/08/le-bilan-de-la-saison-sochalienne-en-u17/ |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=La Bande à Bonal |language=fr-FR}}{{Cite web |date=1 December 2022 |title=Il Napoli di Spalletti, l'amicizia con Malcuit e la Pro Vercelli: la storia di Coli Saco |url=https://www.lacasadic.com/news-serie-c/coli-saco-storia-chi-e-gol-pro-vercelli-milan-napoli-8-novembre-2022/ |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=La Casa di C |language=it |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212201/https://www.lacasadic.com/news-serie-c/coli-saco-storia-chi-e-gol-pro-vercelli-milan-napoli-8-novembre-2022/ |url-status=live }} He then came through the youth ranks of the Lionceaux, taking part in the 2019–20 Coupe Gambardella, where Sochaux reached the round of 16 before the competition was cancelled, due to the emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{Cite web |date=2 February 2020 |title=Le tenant chute, un Poucet passe |url=https://www.fff.fr/article/702-le-tenant-chute-un-poucet-passe.html |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=French Football Federation |language=fr-FR |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212208/https://www.fff.fr/article/702-le-tenant-chute-un-poucet-passe.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=16 April 2020 |title=Décision concernant les championnats amateurs et les compétitions |url=https://www.fff.fr/article/947-decision-concernant-les-championnats-amateurs-et-les-competitions.html |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=French Football Federation |language=fr-FR |archive-date=22 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922162157/https://www.fff.fr/article/947-decision-concernant-les-championnats-amateurs-et-les-competitions.html |url-status=live }}

In October 2020, Saco entered AC Milan's academy;{{Cite web |last=Lionetto |first=Riccardo |date=5 October 2020 |title=Milan, doppio colpo: presi Saco e Pobi |url=https://www.mondoprimavera.com/news/538512363014/milan-doppio-colpo-presi-saco-e-pobi |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=MondoPrimavera |language=it |archive-date=6 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806150701/https://www.mondoprimavera.com/news/538512363014/milan-doppio-colpo-presi-saco-e-pobi |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=7 October 2020 |title=Football. Coli Saco, pas conservé au FC Sochaux, signe au Milan AC |url=https://www.estrepublicain.fr/sport/2020/10/07/coli-saco-pas-conserve-au-fc-sochaux-signe-au-milan-ac |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=L'Est Républicain |language=fr-FR |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212202/https://www.estrepublicain.fr/sport/2020/10/07/coli-saco-pas-conserve-au-fc-sochaux-signe-au-milan-ac |url-status=live }} however, he was released after just one season, having not managed to break into the under-19 team consistently.{{Cite web |last=Brianti |first=Simone |date=20 June 2021 |title=Milan, Saco ai saluti: parole d'addio per il centrale rossonero |url=https://www.mondoprimavera.com/news/197129571846/milan-saco-ai-saluti-parole-d-addio-per-il-centrale-rossonero |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=MondoPrimavera |language=it |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212201/https://www.mondoprimavera.com/news/197129571846/milan-saco-ai-saluti-parole-d-addio-per-il-centrale-rossonero |url-status=live }} In September 2021, he officially joined fellow Italian club Napoli after a successful trial.{{Cite web |last=Paesano |first=Luca |date=14 June 2022 |title=Largo ai giovani: Coli Saco |url=https://www.sportdelsud.it/approfondimenti/14/06/2022/coli-saco-napoli-primavera/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212202/https://www.sportdelsud.it/approfondimenti/14/06/2022/coli-saco-napoli-primavera/ |archive-date=3 February 2023 |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=Sport del Sud |language=it-IT}}{{Cite web |last=Stesina |first=Marco |date=22 July 2022 |title=Il nuovo Pogba ha 20 anni e sbarca in Piemonte: muscoli e centimetri per impressionare |url=https://www.sprintesport.it/primavera/2022/07/22/news/il-nuovo-pogba-ha-20-anni-e-sbarca-in-piemonte-muscoli-e-centimetri-per-impressionare-521143/ |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=Sprint e Sport |language=it |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212209/https://www.sprintesport.it/primavera/2022/07/22/news/il-nuovo-pogba-ha-20-anni-e-sbarca-in-piemonte-muscoli-e-centimetri-per-impressionare-521143/ |url-status=live }}

Having impressed with his performances for Napoli's under-19 squad, during the 2021–22 season Saco started training with the first team, under manager Luciano Spalletti.{{Cite web |last=Schirru |first=Francesco |date=23 July 2024 |title=Alle Olimpiadi c'è anche un giocatore del Napoli: tra i convocati del Mali anche l'ex Milan Coli Saco, occhio alla chance con Conte |url=https://www.goal.com/it/liste/coli-saco-chi-%C3%A8-napoli-milan-mali-convocati-olimpiadi/bltfeafa164688e7fa4 |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=Goal.com |language=it |archive-date=23 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723191741/https://www.goal.com/it/liste/coli-saco-chi-%C3%A8-napoli-milan-mali-convocati-olimpiadi/bltfeafa164688e7fa4 |url-status=live }} The midfielder originally received his first official call-up to the senior team for a Serie A match against Juventus on 6 January 2022: however, having tested positive for COVID-19, he eventually had to withdraw from the match-day squad.{{Cite web |last=Brianti |first=Simone |date=6 January 2022 |title=Napoli, il messaggio social di Saco: "Non era il momento di esordire in Serie A" |url=https://www.mondoprimavera.com/news/14190808582/napoli-il-messaggio-social-di-saco-non-era-il-momento-di-esordire-in-serie-a |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=MondoPrimavera |language=it |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212204/https://www.mondoprimavera.com/news/14190808582/napoli-il-messaggio-social-di-saco-non-era-il-momento-di-esordire-in-serie-a |url-status=live }}

On 15 July 2022, Saco joined Serie C side Pro Vercelli on a season-long loan.{{Cite web |last=Regis |first=Sebastiano |date=15 July 2022 |title=BENVENUTO COLI SACO! |url=https://www.fcprovercelli.it/.../554-benvenuto-coli-saco |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=F.C. Pro Vercelli 1892 |language=it-IT |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212202/https://www.fcprovercelli.it/.../554-benvenuto-coli-saco |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Lanza |first=Raffaella |date=17 July 2022 |title=Corradini, Vergara e Coli Saco: la carica dei nuovi leoni. Awua, Panico e Vitale verso il Crotone |url=https://www.lastampa.it/vercelli/2022/07/17/news/corradini_vergara_e_coli_saco_si_presentano_ai_tifosi_della_pro_vercelli_awua_vitale_e_panico_verso_il_crotone-5448345/ |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=La Stampa |language=it |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212200/https://www.lastampa.it/vercelli/2022/07/17/news/corradini_vergara_e_coli_saco_si_presentano_ai_tifosi_della_pro_vercelli_awua_vitale_e_panico_verso_il_crotone-5448345/ |url-status=live }} He then made his professional debut for the club on 3 September, starting and playing 90 minutes in a 1–0 league win against Padova.{{Cite web |title=Pro Vercelli vs. Calcio Padova - 3 September 2022 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/03/italy/serie-c1/us-pro-vercelli-calcio/biancoscudati-padova/3945680/ |access-date=22 March 2023 |website=Soccerway |archive-date=22 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322194943/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/09/03/italy/serie-c1/us-pro-vercelli-calcio/biancoscudati-padova/3945680/ |url-status=live }} On 5 November, he scored his first professional goal in a 3–1 league loss against AlbinoLeffe.{{Cite web |title=Pro Vercelli vs. AlbinoLeffe - 5 November 2022 |url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/11/05/italy/serie-c1/us-pro-vercelli-calcio/uc-albinoleffe/3945790/ |access-date=3 February 2023 |website=Soccerway |archive-date=3 February 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230203212201/https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2022/11/05/italy/serie-c1/us-pro-vercelli-calcio/uc-albinoleffe/3945790/ |url-status=live }}

On 1 September 2023, Saco joined fellow Serie C club Ancona on loan for the remainder of the season.{{cite web |date=1 September 2023 |title=SACO COLI E' UN NUOVO GIOCATORE DELL'ANCONA |trans-title=SACO COLI IS A NEW PLAYER FOR ANCONA |url=https://www.usancona.com/saco-coli-e-un-nuovo-giocatore-dellancona/ |access-date=1 September 2023 |publisher=US Ancona |language=it-IT |archive-date=1 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230901212705/https://www.usancona.com/saco-coli-e-un-nuovo-giocatore-dellancona/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=2 September 2023 |title=Ancona, si alza il sipario sul campionato: Cioffi e Spagnoli per scardinare l'Entella |url=https://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/ancona/sport/ancona-si-alza-il-sipario-sul-campionato-cioffi-e-spagnoli-per-scardinare-lentella-f01e03a6 |access-date=3 September 2023 |website=Il Resto del Carlino |language=it-IT |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903145129/https://www.ilrestodelcarlino.it/ancona/sport/ancona-si-alza-il-sipario-sul-campionato-cioffi-e-spagnoli-per-scardinare-lentella-f01e03a6 |url-status=live }}

On 30 August 2024, Saco moved on loan to Bari in Serie B.{{cite web|publisher=Bari|url=https://www.sscalciobari.it/it/news/5378-benvenuto-coli-saco/|title=Benvenuto Coli Saco|trans-title=Welcome Coli Saco|date=30 August 2024|access-date=31 August 2024|language=it}}

In June 2023, Saco was included in the final squad of the Malian under-23 national team for the 2023 U-23 Africa Cup of Nations, hosted in Morocco,{{cite web |last=Olivier |first=Anthony |date=12 June 2023 |title=CAN U23 : la liste du Mali avec un talent de Premier League et 3 nouveaux ! |url=https://www.afrik-foot.com/can-u23-la-liste-du-mali-avec-un-talent-de-premier-league-et-3-nouveaux |access-date=10 August 2024 |website=Afrik Foot |language=fr}}{{Cite web |date=25 June 2023 |title=Mali stages comeback to defeat Gabon in TotalEnergies CAF U-23 AFCON {{!}} Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023 |url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-u23-africa-cup-of-nations/2023/news/mali-stages-comeback-to-defeat-gabon-in-totalenergies-caf-u-23-afcon |access-date=27 June 2023 |website=CAFOnline.com |publisher=Confederation of African Football |language=en |archive-date=27 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230627100417/https://www.cafonline.com/total-u23-africa-cup-of-nations/2023/news/mali-stages-comeback-to-defeat-gabon-in-totalenergies-caf-u-23-afcon |url-status=live }} where the Eagles finished in third place and qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.{{Cite web |date=7 July 2023 |title=Mali's U23 team ends 20-year wait, qualifies for Paris Olympics {{!}} Total U-23 Africa Cup of Nations 2023 |url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-u23-africa-cup-of-nations/2023/news/mali-s-u23-team-ends-20-year-wait-qualifies-for-paris-olympics |access-date=9 July 2023 |website=CAFOnline.com |publisher=Confederation of African Football |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708133139/https://www.cafonline.com/total-u23-africa-cup-of-nations/2023/news/mali-s-u23-team-ends-20-year-wait-qualifies-for-paris-olympics |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |date=7 July 2023 |title=CAN 2023 : le Mali se qualifie aux JO 2024 |url=https://sportnewsafrica.com/breve/can-2023-le-mali-se-qualifie-aux-jo-2024/ |access-date=9 July 2023 |website=Sport News Africa |language=fr-FR |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709120027/https://sportnewsafrica.com/breve/can-2023-le-mali-se-qualifie-aux-jo-2024/ |url-status=live }}

In July 2024, he was included by head coach Aliou Badra Diallo in the Malian squad for the men's football tournament at the Summer Olympics in Paris,{{Cite web |last=Olivier |first=Anthony |date=8 July 2024 |title=JO 2024 : la liste du Mali avec 2 internationaux A ! |url=https://www.afrik-foot.com/jo-2024-la-liste-du-mali-avec-un-seul-international-a |access-date=23 July 2024 |website=Afrik-foot.com |language=fr |archive-date=23 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240723042314/https://www.afrik-foot.com/jo-2024-la-liste-du-mali-avec-un-seul-international-a |url-status=live }} where The Eagles were eventually eliminated in the group stage.{{Cite web |last=Lantheaume |first=Romain |date=30 July 2024 |title=JO 2024 : le Mali rate la qualification... |url=https://www.afrik-foot.com/mali-paraguay-match-resultat-elimine-jo-2024 |access-date=1 August 2024 |website=Afrik-foot.com |language=fr |archive-date=1 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240801094633/https://www.afrik-foot.com/mali-paraguay-match-resultat-elimine-jo-2024 |url-status=live }}

Saco is a left-footed midfielder, who has been mainly regarded for his physical attributes, which allow him to win many headers and keep possession. Despite his slow pace, he has proved to have good abilities in reading the game and finding goal opportunities, thanks to his off-the-ball movement and his heading. He has also been noticed for his vision and his long-range passing prowess.

Although he has been compared to André-Frank Zambo Anguissa, he cited Paul Pogba and Yaya Touré as his main sources of inspiration.

Born in France, Saco is of Malian descent.

{{updated|match played 4 May 2024}}{{WorldFootball.net|coli-saco}}{{Soccerway|coli-saco/793103}}

Mali U23

• U-23 Africa Cup of Nations bronze medal: 2023

{{reflist}}

• {{Soccerway|793103}}
• {{Worldfootball.net|coli-saco}}
• [https://www.unfp.org/joueur/loli-saco-24972/ Player profile] at UNFP

{{SSC Bari squad}}

{{Mali men's football squad 2024 Summer Olympics}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Saco, Coli}}

Category:2002 births

Category:Living people

Category:Malian men's footballers

Category:Mali men's youth international footballers

Category:French men's footballers

Category:French sportspeople of Malian descent

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Serie C players

Category:Le Havre AC players

Category:FC Sochaux-Montbéliard players

Category:AC Milan players

Category:SSC Napoli players

Category:FC Pro Vercelli 1892 players

Category:SSC Ancona ASD players

Category:SSC Bari players

Category:French expatriate men's footballers

Category:French expatriate sportspeople in Italy

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Italy

Category:Olympic footballers for Mali

Category:Footballers at the 2024 Summer Olympics

Category:21st-century French sportsmen