Kalidou Koulibaly: Early Life, Clubs, Family, Net Worth, Career & Stats

Kalidou Koulibaly is a professional footballer who plays as a center-back for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and captains the Senegal national team. Koulibaly began his professional club career with French team Metz in 2010, just months before his 18th birthday. He later moved to Belgian club Genk in 2012, winning the Belgian Cup in his first season. He continued his football career with Napoli, and Chelsea and recently signed with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal.

As for his international career, Koulibaly was born in France to Senegalese parents, he was eligible to represent both nations at the international level and initially played for the France national under-20 team. He made his senior debut for Senegal’s international team in 2015 taking Senegal to the finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and was in the winning team of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Egypt in the final.

PERSONAL INFORMATION

EARLY LIFE

Kalidou Koulibaly was born on the 20th day of June 1991 in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France. His mother worked as a cleaner while his father was an employee at a sawmill. Both his parents are African migrants who moved from their ancestral lands in the West African country of Senegal to France in pursuit of better living conditions.

Koulibaly grew up with his younger brother Seoudou. At a young age, Koulibaly blended academics with a passion for sporting interests. He was passionate about football. Koulibaly played for SR Saint-Dié for years 1999-2003 before proceeding to play for FC Metz from 2003-2006.

Also Read: Al Hilal: A Quick Roundup of The Summer Transfer Window 2023

KALIDOU KOULIBALY CLUB CAREER

EARLY CAREER

Koulibaly began his career playing for his local club SR Saint-Dié’s youth team where he spent two seasons playing in the Championnat de France Amateur 2. He then joined the youth academy of professional club Metz on 1 July 2009. He played for Metz amateur team in the Championnat de France Amateur, appearing in 15 matches as Metz were crowned champions of the league finishing with 107 points.

METZ

Koulibaly made his professional debut on 20 August 2010 in a league match against Vannes. He appeared as a substitute in a 1–0 victory. Following this, Koulibaly became a first-team regular for the side after dispatching the place from Nuno Frechaut. On 15 April 2011, he scored his first goal for FC Metz, as they drew 3–3 against Clermont. His Manager Bijotat believed in his calm nature and his ability to analyze matches.

He missed 5 of his 2011-2012 season matches due to international commitments later on he had to serve a two-match suspension due to unprofessional conduct. He continued to regain his first team place until suspension and injury, which eventually kept him out for the rest of the 2011–12 season. Koulibaly went on to make 23 appearances in all competitions.

GENK

Koulibaly joined Belgian club Genk on 29 June 2012 after agreeing to a four-year contract. On 23 August, he made his Genk debut in a UEFA Europa League play-off qualifying round, in which Genk lost to Swiss team Luzern 2–1. He later helped Genk win the 2012–13 Belgian Cup after starting the whole game to beat Cercle Brugge. At the end of the 2012–13 season, Koulibaly went on to make 46 appearances and scored once in all competitions.

In the next season, Koulibaly switched to a center-back position, Koulibaly kept his place in the first team for the rest of the season. Koulibaly went on to make 46 appearances and scored two times in all competitions.

NAPOLI

Koulibaly joined Serie A club Napoli on 2 July 2014 on a five-year contract, for a fee of around £6.5 million. He made his debut on 19 August in a UEFA Champions League play-off round qualifier, in which Napoli drew 1–1 with Athletic Bilbao. In his first season at Napoli, Koulibaly went on to make 39 appearances and scored one goal in all competitions.

Before the start of the 2015–16 season, Koulibaly was linked with a move to Premier League side Southampton, but he eventually stayed at the club. He became a regular starter under coach Maurizio Sarri. Koulibaly made 42 appearances in the 2015–16 season in all competitions.

On 17 June 2020, Koulibaly started in the Coppa Italia Final against Juventus; Napoli won the match 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw. In September 2021, he was named as Serie A Player of the Month.

CHELSEA

Next in his career prospects Premier League giants Chelsea had eyes on Koulibaly. On 16 July 2022, Koulibaly signed a four-year contract for a fee reported to be in the region of £33 million. On 6 August, he made his Chelsea debut in a 1–0 away league win over Everton. Koulibaly scored his first Chelsea goal in his home debut on 14 August, banging home a powerful volley in a 2–2 home league draw against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

AL-HILAL

Koulibaly signed for Saudi Professional League club Al-Hilal for a fee of around £20 million. The deal was confirmed on 25^th June 2023.

KALIDOU KOULIBALY INTERNATIONAL CAREER

Koulibaly had the benefit of choosing to play for either France or Senegal as he was born and raised in France by Senegalese parents. He played for the French under-20 team starting in 2011 and played six times during the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

However, in early September 2015, Koulibaly changed federations and joined the Senegal national football team, even though he was expecting a call from Les Blues. He later explained that his decision was for the future of Senegal. Koulibaly made his debut on 5 September 2015 in an AFCON qualifier against Namibia in a 2–0 victory. He was a member of the Senegal squad that took part in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

In May 2018, he was named in Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In December 2021, he was named in Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He was the Captain and Senegal won against Egypt in the tie-breaker. Koulibaly was named in Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This goal proved decisive in securing the win for Senegal, which ensured that the team progressed to the round of 16.

KALIDOU KOULIBALY STATS

Kalidou Koulibaly has performed better in the Saudi Pro League after making the move from Chelsea. Here’s look at Kalidou Koulibaly stats this season:

AWARDS ACHIEVEMENTS

Genk

Belgian Cup: 2012–13

Napoli

Coppa Italia: 2019–20

Supercoppa Italiana: 2014

Senegal

Africa Cup of Nations: 2021; runner-up: 2019

Individual

CAF Team of the Year: 2016 (as a substitute), 2018, 2019

Serie A Team of the Year: 2015–16, 2016–17,2017–18,2018–19

Golden Lion (Senegal Player of the Year): 2017, 2018

Serie A Best Defender: 2018–19

Serie A Player of the Month: September 2021

Africa Cup of Nations Team of the Tournament: 2019

IFFHS CAF Men Team of The Year: 2020

IFFHS CAF Men’s Team of the Decade: 2011–2020

ORDERS

Grand Officer of the National Order of the Lion: 2022

PERSONAL LIFE

Koulibaly is a Muslim and speaks French, English and Italian. Throughout his time at Napoli, Koulibaly spoke out about racism in Italian football. In October 2019, Koulibaly called on the Italian football authorities to tackle racism by giving offenders a lifetime ban from entering the stadium. He had previously criticized the Italian football authorities for their lack of effort to tackle racism. He is also involved in helping the poor and underprivileged children in Naples and Senegal.

NET WORTH

According to SportsLumo, Kalidou Koulibaly has an estimated net worth of 80 million Euros as of 2023.

PARTNER

Koulibaly is married to Charline Oudenot She’s Kaido’s childhood sweetheart and the pair met in France, and have two kids together.

HOUSES

Koulibaly enjoys living in the English capital and was in the process of purchasing a new home in the city before his move to Saudi.