Mohamed Camara (footballer, born January 2000)

{{short description|Malian professional footballer|bot=PearBOT 5}}

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Mohamed Camara

| image = FC Liefering gegen Young Violets Austria Wien (10. August 2018) 09.jpg

| image_size =

| alt = 2018

| caption = Camara with Liefering in 2018

| full_name = Mohamed Camara{{cite web |url=https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2019/pdf/FWYC_2019_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Poland 2019: List of Players: Mali |publisher=FIFA |page=9 |date=13 June 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200206013743/https://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2019/pdf/FWYC_2019_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=6 February 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|2000|1|6|df=y}}

| birth_place = Bamako, Mali

| height = 1.74 m{{cite web |url=https://www.asmonaco.com/en/joueurs/mohamed-camara/ |title=Mohamed Camara |publisher=AS Monaco FC |access-date=3 September 2022}}

| position = Defensive midfielder

| currentclub = Al Sadd

| clubnumber = 4

| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2017

| youthclubs1 = Real Bamako

| years1 = 2017

| clubs1 = Real Bamako

| caps1 =

| goals1 =

| years2 = 2018–2019

| clubs2 = FC Liefering

| caps2 = 35

| goals2 = 4

| years3 = 2019

| clubs3 = → TSV Hartberg (loan)

| caps3 = 7

| goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2019–2022

| clubs4 = Red Bull Salzburg

| caps4 = 53

| goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2022–2024

| clubs5 = Monaco

| caps5 = 49

| goals5 = 1

| years6 = 2024–

| clubs6 = Al Sadd

| caps6 = 13

| goals6 = 0

| nationalyears1 = 2017

| nationalteam1 = Mali U17

| nationalcaps1 = 10

| nationalgoals1 = 1

| nationalyears2 = 2019

| nationalteam2 = Mali U20

| nationalcaps2 = 5

| nationalgoals2 = 2

| nationalyears3 = 2019

| nationalteam3 = Mali U23

| nationalcaps3 = 1

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| nationalyears4 = 2019–

| nationalteam4 = Mali

| nationalcaps4 = 31

| nationalgoals4 = 3

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|MLI}}}}

| club-update = 7 March 2025

| nationalteam-update = 20 March 2025

}}

Mohamed Camara (born 6 January 2000) is a Malian professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Qatar Stars League club Al Sadd and the Mali national team.

Club career

Camara started his career at Real Bamako before joining Red Bull Salzburg on five-year deal in 2018.{{cite news|title=Neuzugang beim FC Red Bull Salzburg|url=http://www.redbullsalzburg.at/de/fc-red-bull-salzburg/news/saison_2017_18/neuzugang-beim-fc-red-bull-salzburg.html|publisher=Red Bull Salzburg|language=de}}

On 8 January 2019, he was loaned to TSV Hartberg for the rest of the season.{{cite web|title=MOHAMED CAMARA MOVES TO LEAGUE RIVALS|url=https://www.redbullsalzburg.at/en/fc-red-bull-salzburg/news/saison_2018_19/mohamed-camara-moves-to-league-rivals.html|publisher=Red Bull Salzburg|language=en}}

On 18 February 2021, Camara was suspended for three months of all club and international football activities by UEFA, following a doping investigation conducted by UEFA in which Camara tested positive after taking an altitude sickness medicine prescribed by the Malian National Team Doctor.{{Cite web|date=18 February 2021|title=FC Red Bull Salzburg - Suspensions for Camara and Koita|url=https://www.redbullsalzburg.at/en/fc-red-bull-salzburg/news/saison_2020_21/suspensions-for-camara-and-koita.html|access-date=19 February 2021|website=Red Bull Salzburg Official Website|language=en}}

On 14 August 2022, Monaco announced that Camara signed a five-year contract with the club.{{cite web|publisher=Monaco|url=https://www.asmonaco.com/en/mohamed-camara-five-years-at-as-monaco/|title=Mohamed Camara joins AS Monaco on a five year deal|date=14 August 2022|access-date=16 August 2022}}

On 30 July 2024, Camara signed a five-year contract with Qatari side Al Sadd.{{cite web |url=https://al-saddclub.com/al-sadd-sign-mohamed-camara-on-five-year-deal/ |title=Al-Sadd sign Mohamed Camara on five-year deal |publisher=Al Sadd SC |date=30 July 2024 }}

International career

Camara debuted for the Mali national team in a 2–1 friendly loss to South Africa on 13 October 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/10/13/world/friendlies/south-africa/mali/3176319/|title=South Africa vs. Mali - 13 October 2019 - Soccerway|website=ca.soccerway.com}}

In December 2021, Camara was selected by coach Mohamed Magassouba to participate in the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite web|date=25 December 2021 |title=CAN 2022. La liste du Mali avec Hamari Traoré et Kalifa Coulibaly, Bissouma de retour |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/equipe-mali/can-2022-la-liste-du-mali-avec-hamari-traore-et-kalifa-coulibaly-bissouma-de-retour-6c6fb98c-658f-11ec-96a3-1c05d2856a99 |website=www.ouest-france.fr}}{{cite web|date=25 December 2021 |title=CAN 2021: la liste des Aigles du Mali avec le retour d’Yves Bissouma |url=https://www.rfi.fr/fr/afrique-foot/20211225-can-2021-la-liste-des-aigles-du-mali-avec-le-retour-d-yves-bissouma |website=www.rfi.fr}}

On January 2, 2024, he was selected from the list of 27 Malian players selected by Éric Chelle to compete in the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.{{cite web|access-date=2024-01-04 |date=2024-01-02 |language=fr |last=Ouest-France |title=CAN 2024. La liste officielle du Mali pour la Coupe d’Afrique des Nations |url=https://www.ouest-france.fr/sport/football/equipe-mali/can-2024-la-liste-officielle-du-mali-pour-la-coupe-dafrique-des-nations-3b6dd8fe-a9b3-11ee-ad44-c03d56c454d6 |website=Ouest-France.fr}}

Controversy

On 19 May 2024, the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) celebrated the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia. During this event, Camara covered the campaign logo on his jersey, which featured the word 'Homophobie', with a red cross using two pieces of white tape. He also removed the LFP logo in rainbow colors on the sleeves with a black tape.{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cjrrdp4ew58o|title=Mohamed Camara: Malian criticised for covering anti-homophobia logos|date=21 May 2024|website=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |last=Holmes |first=Jon |date=19 May 2024 |title=Soccer player tapes over anti-homophobia badge on jersey in snub of league, LGBTQ community |url=https://www.outsports.com/2024/5/19/24094196/mohamed-camara-monaco-ligue-1-lfp-homophobia-campaign-boycott/ |work=Outsports}} Before the event, he refused to pose for the pre-match group photo in which the football players posed in front of the campaign logo. The French Minister of Equal Opportunities and French Sports Minister condemned his actions.{{Cite news |date=22 May 2024 |title=Football: Mohamed Camara hides the badge in support of LGBTQ |url=https://www.africanews.com/2024/05/22/football-mohamed-camara-hides-the-badge-in-support-of-lgbtq//#:~:text=However%2C%20Monaco%20midfielder%20Mohamed%20Camara,banner%20bearing%20the%20same%20message. |archive-url= |work=Africanews}} The sports minister called his actions "unacceptable behavior" and asked for the "strongest sanctions" against Camara.{{Cite news |date=21 May 2024 |title=Camara criticised for covering anti-homophobia logos |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cjrrdp4ew58o |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |last=Rampling |first=Ali |date=21 May 2024 |title=Mohamed Camara: French sports minister demands ‘strongest sanctions’ for LGBTQ+ badge incident |url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5508851/2024/05/21/mohamed-camara-lgbtq-badge/?redirected=1 |work=The Athletic}} In reference to his actions, the minister of equality tweeted, "Homophobia is not an opinion, it's a crime. And homophobia kills. There must be strict punishment for Mohamed Camara."{{Cite news |date=20 May 2024 |title=Sanctions urged after Monaco player tapes over LGBTQ badge |url=https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/40184905/sanctions-urged-monaco-player-tapes-lgbtq-badge |work=ESPN}} The LFP summoned Camara for a disciplinary hearing. Monaco's general manager Thiago Scuro apologized and cited religious reasons for the actions of Camara, a Muslim.{{Cite web |date=21 May 2024 |title=Monaco apologise to LFP over Mohamed Camara controversy - Get French Football News |url=https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/monaco-apologise-to-lfp-over-mohamed-camara-controversy/ |access-date=24 May 2024 |language=en-US}} However, the Malian Football Federation issued a support letter for his actions, citing "fundamental rights".{{Cite news |date=22 May 2024 |title=Camara faces rap in 'homophobia' row as Mali defends 'free speech' |url=https://www.republicanherald.com/news/nation-world/camara-faces-rap-in-homophobia-row-as-mali-defends-free-speech/article_a388915e-1e90-5dc3-b3c4-e342ddf553d0.html |work=Republican Herald}} On 30 May 2024, the LFP suspended Camara for four matches.{{Cite web |date=30 May 2024 |title=Monaco's Mohamed Camara handed four-game ban after covering up anti-homophobia badge - Get French Football News |url=https://www.getfootballnewsfrance.com/2024/monacos-mohamed-camara-handed-four-game-ban-after-covering-up-anti-homophobia-badge/ |access-date=1 June 2024 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/cm553l77m5zo|title=Mohamed Camara: Monaco midfielder handed four-game ban for covering anti-homophobia logos|date=31 May 2024|website=BBC Sport}}

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes Austrian Cup, Coupe de France, Qatar Cup}} !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="4"\|FC Liefering \|2017–18 \|2. Liga \|15	1	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	15	1
2018–19 \|2. Liga \|14	2	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	14	2
2019–20 \|2. Liga \|6	1	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	6	1
colspan="2"\|Total !35	4	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	35	4
TSV Hartberg (loan) \|2018–19 \|Austrian Bundesliga \|7	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	7	0
rowspan="4"\|Red Bull Salzburg \|2019–20 \|Austrian Bundesliga \|13	1	1	0	2{{efn\|name=UEL\|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}	0	16	1
2020–21 \|Austrian Bundesliga \|15	0	4	2	7{{efn\|Appearances in UEFA Champions League\|name=UCL}}	0	26	2
2021–22 \|Austrian Bundesliga \|25	1	2	0	10{{efn\|name=UCL}}	0	37	1
colspan="2"\|Total !53	2	7	2	19	0	79	4
rowspan="3"\|Monaco \|2022–23 \|Ligue 1 \|29	0	0	0	8{{efn\|name=UEL}}	0	37	0
2023–24 \|Ligue 1 \|20	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	20	1
colspan="2"\|Total !49	1	0	0	8	0	57	1
Al Sadd \|2024–25 \|Qatar Stars League \|13	0	0	0	7{{efn\|name=AFCCLE\|Appearances in AFC Champions League Elite}}	0	20	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !157	7	7	2	34	0	198	9

=International=

colspan="2"\|Total\|\|31\|\|3
class=wikitable style=text-align:center \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
rowspan="7"\|Mali \|2019	2	1
2020	2	0
2021	6	0
2022	6	2
2023	6	0
2024	8	0
2025	1	0

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

class="wikitable" \|+ List of international goals scored by Mohamed Camara ! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1.	17 November 2019	Stade Omnisports, N'Djamena, Chad	{{fb\|CHA}}	align=center \| 2–0	align=center \| 2–0	2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
align=center \| 2	4 June 2022	Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, Mali	{{fb\|CGO}}	align=center \| 1–0	align=center \| 4–0	2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
align=center \| 3	9 June 2022	St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende, Entebbe, Uganda	{{fb\|SSD}}	align=center \| 1–1	align=center \| 3–1	2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

Honours

Red Bull Salzburg

Austrian Bundesliga: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22{{Cite web |date=23 May 2023 |title=A decade of dominance: how Red Bull Salzburg kept the good times rolling |url=https://www.redbull.com/int-en/red-bull-salzburg-10-in-a-row |access-date=5 February 2024 |website=Red Bull |language=en}}
Austrian Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22

Mali U17

Africa U-17 Cup of Nations: 2017

Mali U20

Africa U-20 Cup of Nations: 2019{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/mohamed-camara/513412/|title = Mali - M. Camara - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway}}

=Individual=

Austrian Bundesliga Team of the Year: 2021–22{{Cite web |title=Bundesliga.at - Team der Saison - ADMIRAL Bundesliga |url=https://www.bundesliga.at/de/redaktion/news/21-22/team-der-saison---admiral-bundesliga/ |access-date=28 December 2022 |website=www.bundesliga.at}}

References

External links

[https://www.asmonaco.com/en/joueurs/mohamed-camara/ Profile] at the AS Monaco FC website
{{soccerway|mohamed-camara/513412}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Mali squads

| bg = #14B53A

| fg = #FCD116

| bordercolor = #CE1126

| list =

}}

Category:2000 births

Category:Footballers from Bamako

Category:Living people

Category:Malian men's footballers

Category:Mali men's international footballers

Category:Mali men's youth international footballers

Category:Malian expatriate men's footballers

Category:AS Real Bamako players

Category:FC Liefering players

Category:TSV Hartberg players

Category:FC Red Bull Salzburg players

Category:AS Monaco FC players

Category:Al Sadd SC players

Category:Austrian Football Bundesliga players

Category:2. Liga (Austria) players

Category:Ligue 1 players

Category:Qatar Stars League players

Category:2021 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:2023 Africa Cup of Nations players

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Austria

Category:Malian expatriate sportspeople in Austria

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Monaco

Category:Malian expatriate sportspeople in Monaco

Category:Men's association football midfielders

Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Qatar

Category:Malian expatriate sportspeople in Qatar

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{efn\|Includes Austrian Cup, Coupe de France, Qatar Cup}} !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="4"\|FC Liefering \|2017–18 \|2. Liga \|15	1	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	15	1
2018–19 \|2. Liga \|14	2	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	14	2
2019–20 \|2. Liga \|6	1	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	6	1
colspan="2"\|Total !35	4	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	35	4
TSV Hartberg (loan) \|2018–19 \|Austrian Bundesliga \|7	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	7	0
rowspan="4"\|Red Bull Salzburg \|2019–20 \|Austrian Bundesliga \|13	1	1	0	2{{efn\|name=UEL\|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}	0	16	1
2020–21 \|Austrian Bundesliga \|15	0	4	2	7{{efn\|Appearances in UEFA Champions League\|name=UCL}}	0	26	2
2021–22 \|Austrian Bundesliga \|25	1	2	0	10{{efn\|name=UCL}}	0	37	1
colspan="2"\|Total !53	2	7	2	19	0	79	4
rowspan="3"\|Monaco \|2022–23 \|Ligue 1 \|29	0	0	0	8{{efn\|name=UEL}}	0	37	0
2023–24 \|Ligue 1 \|20	1	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	20	1
colspan="2"\|Total !49	1	0	0	8	0	57	1
Al Sadd \|2024–25 \|Qatar Stars League \|13	0	0	0	7{{efn\|name=AFCCLE\|Appearances in AFC Champions League Elite}}	0	20	0
colspan="3"\|Career total !157	7	7	2	34	0	198	9

class="wikitable" \|+ List of international goals scored by Mohamed Camara ! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1.	17 November 2019	Stade Omnisports, N'Djamena, Chad	{{fb\|CHA}}	align=center \| 2–0	align=center \| 2–0	2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
align=center \| 2	4 June 2022	Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, Mali	{{fb\|CGO}}	align=center \| 1–0	align=center \| 4–0	2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification
align=center \| 3	9 June 2022	St. Mary's Stadium-Kitende, Entebbe, Uganda	{{fb\|SSD}}	align=center \| 1–1	align=center \| 3–1	2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualification