Fiorentina: the idol LeBron, the Champions dream. Ndour speaks: "I felt the call of home"

Florence, 14 April 2025 - From Brescia to Lisbon, from Paris to Istanbul, passing through Braga. The long sporting Erasmus of Dear Ndour It stopped two months ago, when the Fiorentina has decided to invest in one of the most promising young talents of our country:

“I had a great time abroad – he said from the Under 21 National Team gathering in an interview with Vivo Azzurro TV for 'Generazione Azzurra' – but Italy is always Italy and lately I have been feeling the call of home. As a boy I needed some stimulation and to face new experiences, this possibility of going abroad came up and, even though I was very young, I decided to leave. I am lucky to have two parents who care a lot about me, who have always been close to me and who followed me to Lisbon, Paris and even Istanbul. They have always advised me on my choices, but left the final decision to me”. At four years old he plays on the pitch of the oratory of Fiumicello. At six the call comes from Brescia, then thatAtalanta. “I would tell little Cher to take things lightly and always put the pleasure of playing football first.”

At sixteen, the first call from abroad. He flies to Lisbon, Benfica wants him. A formative period. But after winning the European Championship with the Under 19s, the call from PSG arrives. You can't say no. And in Paris he finds Donnarumma.

“With Gigio (Donnarumma, ed.) in Paris we bonded immediately, I was coming from the victory of the European Championship and the first thing he did was congratulate me”.

He made his debut in the first team, he also scored in the French Cup. But he needed continuity. He went to Braga, Then the Besiktas, always on loan. And in Türkiye he meets another Azzurri player.

“I arrived in Istanbul and Ciro (Property, ed.) was already there, we got along very well and it was important to be able to talk to him, also because Turkish is not an easy language. Ciro and Gigio have done great things, they both won the European Championship. I hope one day I can win it too”. Cher also describes himself off the pitch. “I am a simple, quiet guy, and whenever I can I go back to Brescia to my friends and my girlfriend. We go to the historic bar, which belongs to my first coaches at the oratory. When I have some free time I like to rest and completely disconnect from sport”.

His favourite dish is carbonara (“but also picanha accompanied by rice and potatoes”), his playlist is always the same (“I am very superstitious, I listen to the same five songs before going on the pitch”), his idols are three great football and basketball champions: “As for characteristics, I have always been inspired by Pogba, as dedication to work and to the career he had in Cristiano Ronaldo. And the LeBron James: I follow the NBA, what he's doing at 40 years old is the result not only of talent but also of the dedication he puts into it."

And dreams? “Different, like winning the Champions League and making your debut with the senior national team.”