Ismaïla Sarr

{{short description|Senegalese footballer (born 1998)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2022}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ismaïla Sarr

| image = Ismaila Sarr 2022.jpg

| upright =

| caption = Sarr in 2022

| full_name = Ismaïla Sarr{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ – Squad List: Senegal (SEN) |publisher=FIFA |page=25 |date=18 December 2022 |access-date=17 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221218195301/https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |archive-date=18 December 2022 |url-status=live }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1998|2|25|df=yes}}

| birth_place = Saint-Louis, Senegal

| height = 1.85 m

| position = Winger, forward

| currentclub = Crystal Palace

| clubnumber = 7

| youthyears1 = 2009–2016

| youthclubs1 = Génération Foot

| years1 = 2016–2017

| clubs1 = Metz

| caps1 = 31

| goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2017–2019

| clubs2 = Rennes

| caps2 = 59

| goals2 = 13

| years3 = 2019–2023

| clubs3 = Watford

| caps3 = 128

| goals3 = 33

| years4 = 2023–2024

| clubs4 = Marseille

| caps4 = 23

| goals4 = 3

| years5 = 2024–

| clubs5 = Crystal Palace

| caps5 = 33

| goals5 = 7

| nationalyears1 = 2015

| nationalteam1 = Senegal U23

| nationalcaps1 = 3

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 2016–

| nationalteam2 = Senegal

| nationalcaps2 = 71

| nationalgoals2 = 14

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|Senegal}}}}

{{MedalSport|Men's football}}

{{Medal|Competition|Africa Cup of Nations}}

{{Medal|W|2021 Cameroon|}}

{{Medal|RU|2019 Egypt|}}

| club-update = 19 April 2025

| nationalteam-update = 25 March 2025

}}

Ismaïla Sarr (born 25 February 1998) is a Senegalese professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward for Premier League club Crystal Palace and the Senegal national team.

Club career

=Early career=

Born in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Sarr started his football career with Senegalese football club Génération Foot.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}}

=Metz=

On 13 July 2016, Sarr signed his first professional contract with Metz for five years.{{cite news|url=http://www.fcmetz.com/2016-2017/actualites/equipe-pro/ismaila-sarr-sengage-pour-5-ans|title=Ismaïla Sarr s'engage pour 5 ans !|trans-title=Ismaïla Sarr has signed for five seasons.|language=fr|date=13 July 2016|publisher=fcmetz.com}} He made his league debut as a substitute in a 3–2 win against Lille on 13 August, in Metz's first match of the 2016–17 Ligue 1 season.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/08/13/france/ligue-1/fc-de-metz/lille-olympique-sporting-club-metropole/2236765/|title=Metz vs. Lille - 13 August 2016 - Soccerway|website=us.soccerway.com|access-date=13 September 2016}} He made his first professional start in a 3–0 win at Nantes on 11 September.{{cite web|url=https://www.fcmetz.com/sarr-ismaila|title=ISMAÏLA SARR|language=French|access-date=1 January 2024|website=FC Metz}}

On 8 February 2017, Sarr scored his first Ligue 1 goal in a 2–1 win against Dijon. He went on to score four more goals in his final eight appearances of the season, ending 2016–17 with five goals and five assists from 31 league appearances.

=Rennes=

On 26 July 2017, Sarr signed a four-year contract with Ligue 1 side Rennes. The transfer fee paid to Metz was reported as €17 or 20 million, depending on the source.{{cite news|title=Transferts : Ismaïla Sarr s'engage officiellement avec Rennes|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transferts-ismaila-sarr-s-engage-officiellement-avec-rennes/821002|access-date=28 July 2017|work=L'Équipe|date=26 July 2017|language=fr}}{{cite news|last1=Okeleji|first1=Oluwashina|title=Senegal's Ismaila Sarr 'rejects Barcelona' for Rennes move|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40739791|access-date=28 July 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=27 July 2017}} Sarr claimed that he had chosen to sign for Rennes ahead of Barcelona, saying: "I could have gone to Spain and join the great Barcelona, but leaving Metz to join them was too early. I saw Rennes as a club that will help me progress and reach great heights".{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40739791|title=Senegal's Ismaila Sarr 'rejects Barcelona' for Rennes move|date=27 July 2017|work=BBC Sport|access-date=20 January 2018|language=en-GB}}

Sarr made his debut for Rennes in the team's 2017–18 season opener against Troyes on 5 August 2017 and scored his first goal against Toulouse on 26 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/player/stats?id=ismaila-sarr&seasonId=2017-2018|title=Ismaila SARR (OM) - Ligue 1 Uber Eats|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Ligue 1}}

His first season at the Breton club was curtailed by a malleolus fracture sustained in a match against Saint-Étienne on 24 September.{{cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/stade-rennais/rennes-operation-de-la-malleole-pour-ismaila-sarr-trois-mois-d-arret-5277613|title=Stade Rennais. Opération de la malléole pour Ismaïla Sarr, trois mois d'arrêt|language=French|date=28 September 2017|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Ouest-France}} On 28 September, it was announced by coach Christian Gourcuff that Sarr's injury would require surgery that would prevent him from playing until 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Le-rennais-ismaila-sarr-absent-trois-mois/838034|title=Le Rennais Ismaila Sarr absent trois mois|language=French|date=28 September 2017|access-date=1 January 2024|website=L'Équipe}}

Sarr ended the season with five goals and five assists from 24 Ligue 1 appearances as Rennes finished in fifth place and qualified for the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.{{cite web|url=https://france3-regions.francetvinfo.fr/bretagne/ille-et-vilaine/rennes/stade-rennais-confirme-sa-5eme-place-sa-qualification-europa-league-1478749.html|title=Le Stade Rennais confirme sa 5ème place et sa qualification en Europa League|language=French|date=19 May 2018|access-date=1 January 2024|website=France 3}}

During the 2018–19 season, Sarr made his UEFA Europa League debut, scoring the opening goal of a 2–1 against Czech club FK Jablonec on 20 September 2018. This goal was later included on a shortlist of ten for UEFA Goal of the Season.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/soccer/2019/07/26/uefa-goal-season-shortlist-201819-award-revealed|title=UEFA Goal of the Season: Shortlist for 2018/19 Award Revealed|date=26 July 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/1114451/2019/08/05/the-first-ball-ismaila-sarr-chased-the-whole-stadium-gasped-because-it-was-so-special/|title='The first ball that Sarr chased into space made the whole stadium gasp because it was so special'|date=5 August 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=The Athletic}} On 13 December 2018, he scored twice, as Rennes clinched qualified for the knockout phase with a 2–0 home win over FC Astana.{{cite news|url=https://www.ligue1.com/autresCompetitions/article/rennes-beat-astana-to-go-through-bordeaux-out.htm|title=Rennes beat Astana to go through, Bordeaux out|publisher=www.ligue1.com|date=13 December 2018|access-date=14 December 2018|archive-date=2 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402204519/https://www.ligue1.com/autresCompetitions/article/rennes-beat-astana-to-go-through-bordeaux-out.htm|url-status=dead}} His fourth Europa League goal of the season came from a header against Arsenal in a 3–1 round of 16 first leg win on 7 March 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.arsenal.com/fixture/arsenal/2019-Mar-07/rennes-3-1-arsenal-match-report|title=Rennes 3-1 Arsenal: How it happened|date=7 March 2023|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Arsenal F.C.}} However, on 14 March, Rennes lost the second leg in London 3–0 and were eliminated.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/mar/14/arsenal-rennes-europa-league-match-report|title=Aubameyang the hero as Arsenal beat Rennes and reach quarter-finals|date=14 March 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=The Guardian}}

In Ligue 1, Sarr scored eight goals and registered six assists. His form saw him nominated for the Ligue 1 Young Player of the Season award.

He also made a significant contribution to Rennes winning their first Coupe de France in 48 years.{{cite web|url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/coupe-de-france/direct-coupe-de-france-suivez-la-finale-entre-rennes-et-le-psg-6325437|title=Coupe de France. Au bout du suspense et après 48 ans d'attente, le Stade Rennais exulte de bonheur|date=27 April 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Ouest-France}} On 6 January 2019, he scored the equalising goal in a 2–2 draw with Brest and scored in the subsequent penalty shootout that took the team through to the fourth round of the tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/match-direct/coupe-de-france/2018-2019/rennes-brest-live/447912|title=Résultat et résumé Rennes - Brest, Coupe de France, 32es de finale, Dimanche 06 Janvier 2019|language=French|date=6 January 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=L'Équipe}} On 2 April, he assisted Senegalese teammate M'Baye Niang's opening goal in an eventual 3–2 semi-final win against Lyon.{{cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.fr/football/coupe-de-france/2018-2019/rennes-se-qualifie-pour-la-finale-apres-un-match-fou-a-lyon-2-3_sto7212404/story.shtml|title=RENNES SE QUALIFIE POUR LA FINALE APRÈS UN MATCH FOU À LYON (2-3)|language=French|date=3 April 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Eurosport}} Rennes went on to face Paris Saint Germain at the Stade de France in the 2019 Coupe de France Final on 27 April, with Sarr scoring the winning kick of the penalty shootout after the underdogs had recovered from a 2–0 deficit to draw 2–2 during regulation time.{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/articles/news/2020/01/12/rennes-stun-psg-on-penalties-to-win-coupe|title=Rennes stun PSG on penalties to win Coupe|date=27 April 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Ligue 1}}

Overall, Sarr scored 18 goals and registered 16 assists from 77 appearances for Rennes.{{cite web|url=https://www.beinsports.com/en-mena/football/ligue-1/articles/marseille-sign-winger-ismaila-sarr-from-watford-2023-07-25|title=Marseille sign winger Ismaila Sarr from Watford|date=25 July 2023|access-date=1 January 2024|website=beIN Sports}}

=Watford=

On 8 August 2019, Sarr joined Premier League club Watford on a five-year contract. The transfer fee paid to Rennes was a club record for Watford{{cite web |last1=Sansom |first1=Dan |title=Watford sign Rennes winger Ismaila Sarr for club-record fee |url=https://www.skysports.com/transfer/news/11686/11780227/watford-sign-rennes-winger-ismaila-sarr-for-club-record-fee |website=Sky Sports |access-date=8 August 2019 |date=8 August 2019}} and reported as "in the region of €30 million.{{cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Ryan |title=Watford have announced the signing of Ismaila Sarr from Rennes |url=https://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sport/17825048.watford-announced-signing-ismaila-sarr-rennes/ |access-date=8 August 2019 |work=Watford Observer |date=8 August 2019}}

Sarr made his debut for Watford as a substitute in a 3–1 Premier League defeat to West Ham United at Vicarage Road on 24 August 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/news/ismaila-sarr-makes-premier-league-debut-in-watfords-loss-to-west-ham-united/1jebjdr7moibc11lmwezh1ju9z|title=Ismaila Sarr makes Premier League debut in Watford loss to West Ham United|date=25 August 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Goal}} Three days later, on his first start for Watford, he scored his first goal in English football in an EFL Cup tie against Coventry City.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49403010 |title=Watford 3-0 Coventry |date=27 August 2019 |publisher=BBC|access-date=27 August 2019}} On 30 November 2019, Sarr scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–1 loss at Southampton.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50526604|title=Southampton 2-1 Watford: I suffer for fans, players and owner - Sanchez-Flores|date=1 December 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=BBC Sport}} On 22 December, he was voted man of the match in Watford's 2–0 home win over Manchester United – a match in which he scored the opening goal and was fouled for the penalty kick that was converted by captain Troy Deeney.{{cite web|url=https://www.premierleague.com/match/46783|title=Watford v Man Utd, 2019/20|date=22 December 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Premier League}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50797990|title=Watford 2-0 Manchester United: David de Gea error and Troy Deeney penalty lift Hornets' hopes of avoiding relegation|date=22 December 2019|access-date=1 January 2024|website=BBC Sport}} On 29 February 2020, Sarr scored twice and assisted Deeney's third goal in Watford's 3–0 home victory over defending European Champions Liverpool, handing them their first defeat of the 2019–20 season and ending the club's 44-match unbeaten league run.{{cite news |last1=Mott |first1=Ryan |title=Watford beat Liverpool to end 27-match unbeaten run|url=https://onefootball.com/en/news/4-points-as-watford-beat-liverpool-to-end-27-match-unbeaten-run-29310791?variable=20200229 |website=OneFootball |access-date=29 February 2020}} On 26 July, Watford were relegated to the EFL Championship after losing 3–2 to Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in their final match of the season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.eurosport.com/football/premier-league/2019-2020/arsenal-v-watford-live-final-day-premier-league-updates_sto7815131/story.shtml|title=WATFORD RELEGATED FROM PREMIER LEAGUE AFTER FIGHTBACK AT ARSENAL FALLS SHORT|date=27 July 2020|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Eurosport}} Sarr ended 2019–20 with five goals and four assists in the Premier League.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/3249626/2022/04/15/watford-are-not-seeing-the-best-of-ismaila-sarr-where-is-he-going-wrong/|title=Watford are not seeing the best of Ismaila Sarr – where is he going wrong?|date=16 April 2022|access-date=1 January 2024|website=The Athletic}}

During 2020–21, Sarr scored thirteen goals and provided ten assists,{{Cite web|url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/news-sarr-reaches-a-century-of-appearances-for-the-hornets|title=News: Sarr Reaches A Century Of Appearances For The Hornets|date=6 October 2022|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Watford F.C.}} winning Watford's Player of the Season.{{Cite web|url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/official-farewell-sarr|title=Official: Farewell Sarr|date=24 July 2023|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Watford F.C.}} On 24 April 2021, he scored the only goal of a 1–0 win over Millwall which ensured Watford's promotion back to the Premier League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56781828|title=Watford 1–0 Millwall|publisher=BBC Sport|first=Rob|last=Stevens|date=24 April 2021|access-date=26 April 2021}}

Sarr started 2021–22 by scoring five goals in the opening twelve Premier League matches.{{cite web|url=https://www.goal.com/en-au/news/watford-s-dennis-and-sarr-hand-manchester-united-heaviest-loss-against-newly-promoted-club/bltfc6d5e0a4977e5d8|title=Watford's Dennis and Sarr hand Manchester United heaviest loss against a newly-promoted club|date=21 November 2021|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Goal}} This included scoring once in a 3–2 win against Aston Villa in the opening game of the season,{{Cite web|title=Watford vs Aston Villa LIVE!|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/watford-vs-aston-villa/live/446297|access-date=14 August 2021|website=Sky Sports|language=en}} twice in a 3–1 win at Norwich City,{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/sep/18/norwich-watford-premier-league-match-report|title=Ismaïla Sarr at the double as Watford sink pointless Norwich|date=19 September 2021|access-date=1 January 2024|website=The Guardian}} once in a 1–1 draw at home to Newcastle United,{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/sep/25/watford-newcastle-premier-league-match-report|title=Watford's Ismaïla Sarr strikes again to deny winless Newcastle|date=26 September 2021|access-date=1 January 2024|website=The Guardian}} and once in a 4–1 home win over Manchester United.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/nov/20/watford-manchester-united-premier-league-match-report|title=Manchester United thrashed by Watford to leave Ole Gunnar Solskjær on brink|date=21 November 2021|access-date=1 January 2024|website=The Guardian}} However, Sarr struggled with injury for the rest of the season{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/59956772|title=Afcon 2021: Senegal hopeful Ismaila Sarr can recover from injury|date=11 January 2022|access-date=1 January 2024|website=BBC Sport}} and did not score in his final ten appearances as Watford were relegated for the second time in three seasons.{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/4715306/2023/07/25/ismaila-sarr-watford-marseille/|title=Ismaila Sarr at Watford: 1,447 days, £40m and what might have been|date=25 July 2023|access-date=1 January 2024|website=The Athletic}}{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/61281250|title=Crystal Palace 1-0 Watford: Hornets relegated from Premier League|date=7 May 2022|access-date=1 January 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

On 8 August 2022, Sarr scored a goal from his own half in a 1–1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns.{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/12664241/west-brom-1-1-watford-ismaila-sarr-scores-from-own-half-and-misses-penalty-in-entertaining-draw-at-the-hawthorns|title=West Brom 1-1 Watford: Ismaila Sarr scores from own half and misses penalty in entertaining draw at the Hawthorns|date=9 August 2022|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Sky Sports}} The goal was later awarded EFL Championship Goal of the Season. On 5 October, he played his 100th match for Watford, scoring in a 2–1 loss to Swansea City. Sarr ended the season with 10 goals from 39 matches in all competitions.{{cite web |title=Official: Farewell Sarr |url=https://www.watfordfc.com/news/official-farewell-sarr |publisher=Watford F.C. |access-date=24 July 2023 |date=24 July 2023 }}

During his four seasons at Watford, he scored a 34 goals from 131 appearances.

=Marseille=

On 24 July 2023, Sarr joined French club Marseille for an undisclosed fee.{{cite web |title=Ismaïla Sarr is Olympien! |url=https://www.om.fr/en/news/4803/1st-team/77937-ismaila-sarr-olympien |publisher=Olympique de Marseille |access-date=24 July 2023 |date=24 July 2023 }}

Sarr made his debut for Marseille in a 1–0 loss to Panathinaikos in a UEFA Champions League qualifier on 9 August.{{cite news|url=https://socios-fcmetz.com/anciens-premiere-a-oublier-pour-ismaila-sarr-ex-fc-metz-en-ligue-des-champions/|title=Anciens : Première À Oublier Pour Ismaila Sarr (Ex-FC Metz) En Ligue Des Champions|language=French|date=10 August 2023|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Socios FC Metz}} He scored his first goal in a 2–0 Ligue 1 win over Brest at the Stade Vélodrome on 26 August.{{cite web|url=https://www.ligue1.com/Articles/Match-Reports/2023/08/26/sarr-scores-as-marseille-bounce-back-at-the-velodrome|title=Sarr scores as Marseille bounce back at the Velodrome|date=26 August 2023|access-date=1 January 2024|website=Ligue 1}}

=Crystal Palace=

On 1 August 2024, Sarr returned to the Premier League, signing for Crystal Palace.{{cite web |title=Crystal Palace sign Ismaïla Sarr |url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/announcement/crystal-palace-sign-ismaila-sarr/ |website=cpfc.co.uk|date=1 August 2024 |access-date=1 August 2024}} It was confirmed on 10 August he would wear the number 7 shirt, replacing departing winger Michael Olise. On 27 August, he scored his first goal for the club in a 4–0 EFL Cup win over Norwich City; the goal, initially attributed to Eberechi Eze, was awarded to Sarr a week later.{{cite web|url=https://www.cpfc.co.uk/news/match-reports/match-report-highlights-live-blog-crystal-palace-norwich-city-august-2024/|title=Crystal Palace 4–0 Norwich City: Eagles cruise past Canaries into third round|website=cpfc.co.uk|date=27 August 2024|access-date=6 September 2024}}

International career

File:Opposition de force.jpg

Sarr has represented his country with the Senegal U23 national team. In 2015, he played in 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations.{{cite web|url=http://admin.cafonline.com/en-us/competitions/u-23africacupofnations/TeamDetails/PlayerDetails?CompetitionPlayerID=TyclG%2buS5J7c5OqznR%2bEhdZu%2fb3eociUa2h4Iv5tEJb9CkL0pV%2b03HGH78dFKci6&TeamsIDs=UiTW21Mwh%2fVESS8j4UPYKrntTXWGBMcsS6Z79ys00T1naAfw2hHLclMNlld99jQi|title=CAF - Competitions - U-23 Africa Cup of Nations - Team Details - Player Details - Ismaïla Sarr|website=cafonline.com|access-date=13 September 2016}} At that time, his age was only 17. He contributed that Senegal finished the competition in a fourth place, playing three games.

He played for the first time with Senegal national team for a match against Namibia in September 2016 in Dakar (2–0) for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, for which Senegal had already qualified. As a symbol, he came into play in the 67th minute in place of the former resident of Génération Foot and Metz, Sadio Mané.{{cite web|url=https://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Senegal-premiere-convocation-pour-le-jeune-attaquant-de-metz-ismaila-sarr/717979|title=Sénégal : première convocation pour le jeune attaquant de Metz Ismaïla Sarr|website=lequipe.fr|access-date=17 August 2016}} On 8 January 2017, Sarr scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Libya in Stade Municipal de Kintélé, Brazzaville.

In May 2018, he was named in Senegal's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.{{cite web |last1=Crawford |first1=Stephen |title=Revealed: Every World Cup 2018 squad - Final 23-man lists |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/revealed-every-world-cup-2018-squad-23-man-preliminary-lists/oa0atsduflsv1nsf6oqk576rb |website=Goal |access-date=16 July 2019 |date=4 June 2018}}

In 2019, Sarr was part of the Senegal squad that reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations, for only the second time in the nation's history.{{cite web|url=https://www.enca.com/sport/senegal-algeria-set-rematch-afcon-final|title=Senegal, Algeria set for rematch in Afcon final|publisher=eNCA|access-date=20 July 2019|archive-date=4 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221204103136/https://www.enca.com/sport/senegal-algeria-set-rematch-afcon-final|url-status=dead}} He played the full 90 minutes of the final on 19 July 2019, as they lost 1–0 to Algeria.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/jul/19/senegal-algeria-africa-cup-of-nations-final-match-report|title=Algeria claim second Afcon title after Bounedjah's lucky strike sinks Senegal|website=theguardian.com|publisher=Guardian News & Media Limited|date=19 July 2019|access-date=19 July 2019}}

Sarr was part of Senegal's squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations; the Lions of Teranga went on to win the tournament for the first time in their history.{{cite web|url=https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/news/cisse-unveils-senegal-squad-hopes-for-elusive-totalenergies-afcon-title|title=Cisse unveils Senegal squad, hopes for elusive TotalEnergies AFCON title|publisher=Confederation of African Football|date=25 December 2021|access-date=28 March 2023|archive-date=9 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220109145849/https://www.cafonline.com/total-africa-cup-of-nations/news/cisse-unveils-senegal-squad-hopes-for-elusive-totalenergies-afcon-title|url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Senegal 0-0 Egypt |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60186276 |website=BBC Sport |access-date=28 March 2023 |date=7 February 2022}} He scored once in a 3–1 win over Equatorial Guinea at the quarter-final stage.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com.au/football/story/_/id/37625068/africa-cup-nations-senegal-ismaila-sarr-reaping-reward-strong-stance-watford|title=Senegal, Ismaila Sarr reaping reward of strong stance against Watford|date=1 February 2022|access-date=1 January 2024|website=ESPN}}

He was appointed a Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion by President of Senegal Macky Sall following the nation's victory at the tournament.{{cite web |title=Cash prizes, real estate, and highest honours as Senegal celebrates Nations Cup heroes |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/cash-prizes-real-estate-highest-honours-senegal-celebrates-nations-cup-heroes-2022-02-08/ |website=Reuters |access-date=28 March 2023 |date=8 February 2022}}

Sarr started all four of Senegal's matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, scoring in a 2–1 win over Ecuador that qualified the nation for the round of 16 for the first time since its debut in 2002.{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/team/squad/_/id/654/league/FIFA.WORLD|title=Senegal Squad|access-date=1 January 2024|website=ESPN UK}}

In December 2023, he was named in Senegal's squad for the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in the Ivory Coast.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/africa/67840713|title=Afcon 2023: Senegal and Sadio Mane set for defence of title|date=29 December 2023|access-date=1 January 2024|work=BBC Sport Africa}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 19 April 2025}}{{Soccerway|ismaila-sarr/453991}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center"

|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

!rowspan="2"|Club

!rowspan="2"|Season

!colspan="3"|League

!colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de France, FA Cup}}

!colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes Coupe de la Ligue, EFL Cup}}

!colspan="2"|Europe

!colspan="2"|Total

DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Metz

|2016–17

|Ligue 1

|31

50020colspan="2"|—335
rowspan="3"|Rennes

|2017–18

|Ligue 1

|24

51020colspan="2"|—275
2018–19

|Ligue 1

|35

851109{{efn|name=UEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}45013
colspan="2"|Total

!90

1861509411023
rowspan="5"|Watford

|2019–20

|Premier League

|28

50021colspan="2"|—306
2020–21

|Championship

|39

131000colspan="2"|—4013
2021–22

|Premier League

|22

50000colspan="2"|—225
2022–23

|Championship

|39

100000colspan="2"|—3910
colspan="2"|Total

!128

331021colspan="2"|—13134
Marseille

|2023–24

|Ligue 1

|23

300colspan="2"|—12{{efn|Two appearances in UEFA Champions League, ten appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League}}1354
Crystal Palace

|2024–25

|Premier League

|33

73141colspan="2"|—409
colspan="3"|Career total

!274

6010211221531670

{{notelist}}

=International=

{{updated|match played 25 March 2025}}{{NFT player|id=65184|name=Sarr, Ismaïla|access-date=24 May 2017}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"

|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year

!National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals

rowspan="10"|Senegal

|2016

10
201792
2018101
201991
202031
202184
2022122
202340
2024133
202520
colspan="2"|Total7114

:Scores and results list Senegal's goal tally first.

class="wikitable"

|+ List of international goals scored by Ismaïla Sarr

! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition

align=center | 18 January 2017Stade Municipal de Kintélé, Brazzaville, Congo{{fb|LBY}}align=center | 2–1align=center | 2–1Friendly
align=center | 25 September 2017Stade du 4 Août, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso{{fb|BFA}}align=center | 1–1align=center | 2–22018 FIFA World Cup qualification
align=center | 38 June 2018Gradski Vrt Stadium, Osijek, Croatia{{fb|CRO}}align=center | 1–0align=center | 1–2Friendly
align=center | 41 July 201930 June Stadium, Cairo, Egypt{{fb|KEN}}align=center | 1–0align=center | 3–02019 Africa Cup of Nations
align=center | 59 October 2020Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium, Rabat, Morocco{{fb|MAR}}align=center | 1–3align=center | 1–3Friendly
align=center | 65 June 2021Stade Lat-Dior, Thiès, Senegal{{fb|ZAM}}align=center | 3–0align=center | 3–1Friendly
align=center | 77 September 2021Stade Alphonse Massamba-Débat, Brazzaville, Congo{{fb|CGO}}align=center | 2–1align=center | 3–12022 FIFA World Cup qualification
align=center | 8rowspan=2 | 14 November 2021rowspan=2 | Stade Lat-Dior, Thiès, Senegalrowspan=2 | {{fb|CGO}}align=center | 1–0align=center rowspan=2 | 2–0rowspan=2 | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
align=center | 9align=center | 2–0
align=center | 1030 January 2022Ahmadou Ahidjo Stadium, Yaoundé, Cameroon{{fb|EQG}}align="center" |3–1align="center" |3–12021 Africa Cup of Nations
align=center | 1129 November 2022Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar{{fb|ECU}}align="center" |1–0align="center" |2–12022 FIFA World Cup
align=center | 1219 January 2024Charles Konan Banny Stadium, Yamoussoukro, Ivory Coast{{fb|CMR}}align="center" |1–0align="center" |3–12023 Africa Cup of Nations
align=center | 136 June 2024Diamniadio Olympic Stadium, Diamniadio, Senegal{{fb|COD}}align="center" |1–0align="center" |1–12026 FIFA World Cup qualification
align=center | 149 September 2024Bingu National Stadium, Lilongwe, Malawi{{fb|BDI}}align="center" |1–0align="center" |1–02025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Rennes

|title =Rennes 2 PSG 2 (6-5 on penalties)|date=29 April 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=30 April 2019}}

Senegal

  • African Cup of Nations: 2021;{{Cite news|date=5 February 2022|title=Africa Cup of Nations final: Mane with winning penalty as Senegal beat Egypt on penalties|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/football/59408846|access-date=6 February 2022}} runner-up: 2019{{Cite news|title=Algeria win Africa Cup of Nations|language=en-GB|work=BBC Sport|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48959714|access-date=6 February 2022}}

Individual

  • EFL Goal of the Season: 2022–23{{Cite web |date=23 April 2023 |title=Ismaila Sarr wins Goal of the Season |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2023/april/ismaila-sarr-wins-goal-of-the-season/ |access-date=26 July 2023 |website=English Football League}}
  • UEFA Europa League Goal of the Season: 2018–19{{cite web |title=Top Ten Goals of the 2018/19 UEFA Europa League|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/news/0251-0e99be2f2882-759462aecd85-1000--top-ten-goals-of-the-2018-19-uefa-europa-league/ |website=UEFA |publisher=Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) |date=30 May 2019 |access-date=4 June 2019}}
  • Watford Player of the Season: 2020–21{{Cite web |last=Oludare |first=Shina |date=12 May 2021 |title=Ismaila Sarr: Senegal striker scoops Watford awards |url=https://www.goal.com/en-gh/news/ismaila-sarr-senegal-striker-scoops-watford-awards/y52rbkvr92zv12wppelmee13u |access-date=26 July 2023 |website=Goal |language=}}
  • Watford Players’ Player of the Season: 2020–21

Orders

References

{{reflist}}