The changing room is closed, the squad are away. For many Werder
players, their first end-of-season activity is to return to their homeland and
visit their family. While Theodor Gebre Selassie has posted a video of his
childhood football ground in the Czech Republic, Jannik Vestergaard is
back in Copenhagen – all have travelled to places associated with their
youth. Papy Djilobodji’s homeland is located almost 5,000km from
Bremen: Senegal.
His father comes from Kaolack, about four hours’ drive from the capital Dakar, his mother’s hometown. The tall central defender was born in Dakar but grew up in Kaolack.
The city, which has a population of over 400,000, is unbearably hot, especially at this time of the year. The thermometer frequently reads 40 degrees Celsius. Even breathing is difficult during these months. “In any case, the sun shines far more frequently there than in Bremen,” reveals the 27-year-old in a discussion with WERDER.DE.
He is full of positive memories of his childhood and home, even when “the conditions were not the easiest.” Today, after his move to Europe, Djilobodji is likelier to fly to his second home in Nantes, where a large proportion of his family live. However, from time to time, the Senegalese international, who has 12 caps to his name, makes the trip to West Africa. “I have some very good friends there. Senegal isn’t a rich country but the people are very hospitable. They immediately make you feel welcome. You share everything and help out in any situation,” says Djilobodji.
Football doesn’t just play a major role in the Djilobodji family’s life – incidentally, his brother plays in Senegal. “The people love and live football,” says Djilobodji. French, Spanish, English, Italian and German teams and leagues are idolised. “Every little boy plays football. It’s played everywhere: on the street, on the beach, anywhere you can find space. You can perhaps compare the football mentality to that in Brazil,” remarks the on-loan Chelsea defender.
His football idols were Brazilian. "I had lots of heroes in my childhood. Roberto Carlos, Ronaldinho – depending on where I played. I always practised the Brazilian players’ tricks," he explains. However, the Senegalese football, even with its Brazilian flair, is not as well organised in comparison to in Europe. It lacks infrastructure, pitches and clubs. “It’s not as easy to play football or join a club,” reflects Djilobodji.
He himself managed to secure a move to French club US Sénart-Moissy, where Kingsley Coman started out, before joining FC Nantes, where he experienced all the highs and lows of football, just half a year later. The defender feels like he benefitted from the playing conditions in his homeland. “If you can control the ball on the sand or dirt, then it’s usually a bit easier on the grass,” he explains laughing. It will be decided in the coming weeks and months where the on-loan Chelsea player will be next season.
