Guinea’s Gift to Football: The Untold Story of Naby Keita’s Rise

As a child, Naby Keita’s love for football was clear to everyone around him. His mother often shared stories of how anything that fell from the table—whether it was a bottle of water or an orange—would instantly become a makeshift football for young Naby. He would dribble it around, entertain himself with it, and only after his fun would he hand it back. From a young age, it was obvious that football would be his path.

Rough Diamond Polished: The Inspiring Story of Naby Keita’s Rise.

Rough Diamond Polished: The Inspiring Story of Naby Keita’s Rise.

This biography delves into the untold story of Naby Keita’s childhood. Growing up, his parents, Sekou and Mariam, initially had different aspirations for him. They valued education and hoped their son would focus on his studies. However, Naby’s passion for the game was undeniable, and they eventually accepted that football was his true calling.

Keita’s early experiences in the streets of Conakry, Guinea, were marked by playing with whatever he could find. Sandals and worn-out shoes became his gear, much like the other boys in his neighbourhood. Without a football shirt, young Naby wore a Liverpool jersey—a foreshadowing of the destiny that would one day see him play for the club. Join us as we explore Naby Keita’s world, a rough diamond that rose from humble beginnings to the global stage.

Naby Keita Childhood Story – Early Life and Family Background:

To kick things off, his full name is Naby Laye Keïta. He was born on February 10, 1995, to his mother, Miriam Camara, and father, Sekou Keita, in Conakry, Guinea.

From the moment he could walk, his mother began confiscating items from his feet, likely sensing his passion for football. According to his father, Sekou Keita, Naby had a football-centered childhood, and it was clear that his destiny was set as soon as he outgrew his toddler years.

He has always gotten a passion for the ball since childhood.

He has always had a passion for the ball since childhood.

With a laugh, Naby Keita recalled,

“My mum told me that anything that fell from the table—whether it was a bottle of water or an orange—I would dribble with it until am tired. Whatever i saw on the floor, I could kick, I’d first entertain myself with it. No matter where she took me, I would do this.”

As a child, he always wanted the ball around him. Naby was seen as the shy, quiet kid, yet he had an eccentric and energetic spirit that set him apart.

Naby Keita Bio – Education Vs Football:

Back then, as a child, it was inevitable that Naby Keita would want to pursue a career in football.

However, his parents tried to direct him towards a different path, considering the fact that except on very rare occasions, football was only meant for the rich and connected in Guinea.

His parents, Sekou and Mariam, wanted their son to study. They felt education was most important and stable.

Early on, Naby Keita struggled between playing football and his education.

Early on, Naby Keita struggled between playing football and his education.

Naby followed their wish but struggled to pass exams in school. Ideally, there was nothing else in his head but football. His parents tried and tried, but they could see their son loving his books.

At some point, everyone in Keita’s household (brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, etc.) supported his quest to play football.

His parents at this time had no choice but to give him their support because they saw in their son, a rare football talent.

Naby Keita Biography Facts – The Liverpool Early Contact:

At the age of 12, Naby Keita was already being advised by local scouts that his talent could land him in Europe. However, such thoughts were too much for someone so young as him to process, as he wasn’t mentally ready for such a big step.

Back then, his only connection to Europe came from visiting viewing centers to watch countless Champions League, Ligue 1, and Premier League games on TV.

In a bid to fight against poverty in his family, Naby Keita had to grow the belief that he would someday play in Europe.

He was determined to become a footballer, not only because he loved the game, but so because he wanted to provide for his family and relatives. Naby Keita, at that time, wore the number 10 shirt for his local club in Koleya, Guinea.

Young Naby Keita in his early career years.

Young Naby Keita in his early career years.

Naby Keita played with whatever he could and sometimes, he would wear sandals and old damaged shoes just like his other teammate would do (see photo above).

Back then, they would utilize any small field to play football, even though it means playing at roadsides and dodging cars on the streets of Guinea. In his words;

“We would play anywhere there was open space, often in the streets, dodging cars as we went! I got bumped so many times, but I kept pushing forward because I never wanted to lose possession of my dreams. I noticed that nothing could separate me from the ball, and I learned so much from my experiences on the street.”

Quest for Europe:

The ability to play without football boots and shinguards contributed to what had made Naby Keita fearless on the pitch of play. As he puts it,

“I didn’t have normal football boots and treasured football shirts like that of Liverpool were given to me.

Am glad this has helped me to be better prepared for anything now as a professional.

Today, I’m not scared of anything on the pitch.”

Naby progressed in his local career, still in the absence of football shirts. Back then, his team (Horoya) would wear Liverpool jerseys. Without a doubt, he was born to become a red, as we see him in the photo below (Second to left). While Looking at the picture, it is hard to believe Naby would grow taller. Although facial-wise, he didn’t change much.

Young Naby Keita was destined to play for Liverpool a long time ago.

Young Naby Keita was destined to play for Liverpool a long time ago.

As seen from the picture above, Naby Keita was one of the smallest among his teammates and even his opponents.

Being the smallest meant he had to fight for everything: the chance to play and get respect from the bigger players. This led to his aggression as a way of showing he was small and mighty.

Going to France:

At 16, Naby was flooded with European football enthusiasm but unsure of what to expect.

Shockingly, a miracle finally came; he was called for trials by a French football academy by some French scouts who came to visit the country.

Because they never handed him a professional contract in which monies was involved, his parents and relatives got confused. As Naby Keita admitted;

“They didn’t want me to go so far away and they were worried about how I would adapt to the new surrounding. They later realize it was a victory for the family, against poverty”

France was more difficult than Naby could have imagined, as everything except the language was different.

Back then in his homeland, Naby was used to playing football with his friends. This time, he was with strangers who never laughed or played with him much but always wanted to keep to themselves.

Naby Keita Rejection Story:

During further training with teammates, his coach once asked him to do things he’d never heard of.

A lot of football terms were used, which Keita couldn’t understand or had no clue about. This was the root cause of mockery and rejection by his teammates, which left him alone and sad.

In response to this, Naby Keita moved back and forth between Conakry, Guinea and France, where rejection from his French teammates slowly ate into his conviction. This was a time Naby told himself;

As I faced rejection, I did wonder if I would ever make it. It was indeed a tough time.

Keita said and continued…

You have your career dream within touching distance, and then it falls through and you have to start from the beginning again.

For Naby Keita, the most surprising thing about his rejection period wasn’t about him being in an unfamiliar place or clashing with a contrasting French culture or dissimilar teammates but the completely alien way football was interpreted. As he puts it;

“I was never exposed to the professional side of the game. I didn’t grow up in an academy and everything I knew was from the street where I would get the ball, run with it, show some skills, beat players and score.

Upon hearing about his troubles, his parents got very worried about their son. Keita had to call them six times a day to tell them everything would be fine.

Overcoming his Limits:

Naby Keita finally learnt the European football methods, which saw him as a vital footballer effective both offensively and defensively for his French academy club.

Aside from learning his African style, he could now tackle, take on defenders, switch the play, intercept the game, transition quickly, dissect or nullify the opposition and dictate his side’s tempo. It was a unique, valuable combination of African and European styles.

Naby Keita Bio – Rise to Fame Story:

At this point in his life, Naby was ready to embark on his senior career. Le Mans, known for discovering talents like Didier Drogba from Ivory Coast, initially recognized Keita’s potential but couldn’t recruit him at 18 due to their impending bankruptcy. Fortunately, one of their employees recommended this “rough diamond” to the Sporting Director of another club, FC Istres.

After a positive review, the club in the south of France sharply arranged a trial. Fortunately, in which Naby made an instant impression and became a part of the club. As Keita puts it,

I had waited so long. Despite having many setbacks, I got my first chance which proved I belonged in Europe

It was tough for FC Istres to keep Keita as lots of tempting offers came. Just after a season, the club sold him to Red Bull Salzburg, where he met and became best friends with Sadio Mane (three years his senior), who later moved to Southampton.

Upon his arrival at the club, Keita met competition. He once revealed.

“At first, I wasn’t starting, and it was very frustrating. I didn’t like it, and it made the settling-in period even harder. But my best friend Sadio Mane reassured me, saying, ‘My little brother, i beg you to stay calm. Understand that your chance will come, and when it does, make the most of it.’”

Sadio helped Naby with everything—learning the language, making friends, and understanding the club and the city. Below is a photo of both friends while in Red Bull Salzburg.

And, of course, Mane was right as his best friend once Keita finally got his chance on the first team.

Keita never hesitated to show his qualities when the opportunity came, and everything went much smoother.

Several offers again came, and Keita moved to RB Leipzig, where he became teammates and best friends with Timo Werner.

In a bid to reunite with his friend, Sadio Mane convinced Jurgen Klopp about Keita, and Klopp agreed to bring him to England to play for Liverpool. Both friends finally got united.

The rest, as they say, is history for the footballer who has become a key part of Liverpool’s book and remarkable Champions League story.

The Case of Falsifying Document – The Story:

Around September of 2017, Keïta was charged a whopping €415,000 because of document falsification as German newspapers reported. It was about his fake driver’s license.

Naby Keita went to an African Guinea home to prepare a fake driver’s license in order to obtain another driver’s license in Germany. Unfortunately, he was caught thanks to a joint collaboration of officials in both his home country (Guinea) and Germany.

The district court in Leipzig (Amtsgericht Leipzig) based its sentence on Keita’s net income of around three million euros per year.

In defence, Keita’s lawyers filed an appeal against the penalty order, which saw the fine reduced to €250,000 (£220,000).

Naby Keita Family Facts:

When Keita was around 11 or 12, his friends and even his father nicknamed him Deco. This is because they thought he played like the former Chelsea and FC Barcelona player. As Naby Keitan

“I wanted to be like Deco, Titi Camara, or Pascal Feindouno when I was younger, and now I see kids wearing my name on the back of their shirts! That motivates me immensely, and I hope to continue showing them that with courage and determination, they can achieve anything.”

Naby Keita’s father is a huge fan of Liverpool! he reveals. As far back as he can remember, his dad was mad about the club before Keita even knew what Liverpool was as a kid.

Keita’s knowledge of Liverpool started during Steven Gerrard’s reign and 2005 Istanbul memories.

Naby Keita’s mother visits him every three months, staying by his side. As Keita shares,

“Now she doesn’t have to shout at me for kicking everything around, but she’s still my rock. I am nothing without my parents and immediate family members. No matter what happens, I will never forget where I come from.”

Career Facts:

When he goes back home, 

“When I return to Conakry, I still see kids playing barefoot in the streets, dodging cars. It reminds me of my own childhood. That’s why whenever I’m back, I buy as many boots as I can for the kids. I know how much a simple pair of boots can mean to them. The talent and skill in Guinea make me so proud.”

Hope for the Upcoming

“It doesn’t matter how poor you are or where you come from. If you’re willing to make sacrifices, work hard, and never stop chasing your dreams, you can make them a reality.”

Keita is described as a dynamic, box-to-box central midfielder. He is also able to distribute the ball with range and accuracy. Also, score goals frequently. He has been compared to N’Golo Kanté and Koke.

Naby Keita made headlines after breaking into the 2017 Goal 50, a prestigious ranking of the 50 best players in the world over the past year.

Appreciation Note:

Thanks for reading our Naby Keita Childhood Story, plus untold biography facts. We strive for accuracy and fairness while delivering you the Biography of African Footballers. Kindly stay tuned for more African Football Stories. The History of André-Frank Zambo Anguissa and David Datro Fofana will excite you. If you see something that doesn’t look right in this article, please leave a comment or contact us!

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