2023-07-12 16:42:00
Even if he is now expected to shine in the British Kingdom, following having been one of the revelations in the Kingdom of Spain, Nicolas Jackson was first adored in the kingdom of southern Senegal by showing resilience, resistance and self-confidence to hold on and bounce back from criticism and feedback. Neymar Junior for the most intimate is there, told by his relatives and former teammates.
Out of nowhere…
From the mixed joy of a “failed” first selection during a World Cup match, from the disarray of an aborted transfer to Bournemouth (a team which was fighting to stay in the Premier League), because of an injury which will take him away from the lawns for almost two months, the 22-year-old striker has gone on to win the title of best player of the month in La Liga and two remarkable national team matches for an assist once morest Benin and a penalty caused once morest Brasil.
The 2022/2023 season will undoubtedly remain the most important stage to remember in Nicolas Jackson’s career (12 goals and 4 assists in La Liga). Not scheduled at all at the start of the year to play a major role in one of La Liga’s flagship teams, Villarreal, the native of Banjul will live a season full of twists and roars before being rewarded with a transfer, on July 1 to Chelsea Football Club for an amount of 30 million euros. A few days before, Nicolas Jackson returned to the lands which saw him as making his first ranges as a footballer. On Friday, June 30, a meeting between a selection of his former ASC Tilene teammates and current ASC players is organized in his honor. Enthusiasm is in order. At the height of the hope placed in this son of the soil.
“…his attire did not give the air of a football player”
It all started on the sandy, laterite and stony ground of Tilene and the CEMT of Ziguinchor. Winter season 2017, ASC Tilene begins its preparation for the Navetanes. Expected as always to play the leading roles, the players devote themselves to training in an assumed seriousness. On this rainy morning, a few players are already there and are kicking the ball in small groups, a frail young man, looking uncertain, crosses the threshold of the door of the CEMT field, accompanied by a man who seems more age. The man introduces him to the team captain and says he wants to join the group. “There weren’t many of us because it was raining. We were in reduced play and we already felt that he had a good technical background. But we might see that he lacked training and his outfit did not give the air of a football player (laughs)”, declares Raymond Manga, his former teammate at ASC Tilene. Native of Banjul, capital of Gambia, located a little more than 200 kilometers from Ziguinchor, Nicolas joined the southern region and lives in the Tilene district. One of the most popular areas of the city. His dream of becoming a professional footballer is his main leitmotif. “When he arrived in Senegal, he had already dropped out of school and was aiming to play football. At first, no one believed in him, he was kind of nonchalant, ”says Aliou Badji, his former mentor at Casa Sports.
Nicolas gives way to Neymar
The days of training multiply and the shy Nicolas gradually puts his world in agreement. The start of the Navetanes is approaching. ASC Tilene wins preparation matches. The first of them is once morest ASC Stella (former winner of the national stages and mythical club of Ziguinchor). “In 15 minutes, we felt his above-average technical palette,” recalls Aliou Badji. “During the friendly match, he confirmed his talent in less than 20 minutes, we knew he was a crack,” recalls Raymond. All his teammates remember this match as the birth of the phenomenon. “It was following this match that the nickname Neymar Junior was born. They describe him as a technical player, dribbler, provocateur and “showman”, like the Brazilian number 10 of Paris Saint-Germain. During this season, ASC Tilene (seniors) outclasses its opponents both at departmental and regional level thanks to their Neymar. “He was our best player, we depended on him, it was he who created the scoring opportunities and caused the free kicks and penalties”, welcomes Charles Insali, teammate at Tilene and currently player in D1 Bissau-Guinean. Nicolas allows his team to win the departmental and regional phase. “He and I were the two blasters on the sides. He played on the left side because he liked to cut in the axis. He was special,” says Topinho. Raymond recalls that he finished best player in the zone. He becomes the player to follow, the new darling of Tilene and the city of Ziguinchor.
All is not green at Casa
For two seasons, Nicolas delights the inhabitants of Tilene. They give him all the love he deserves. “It’s true that at first he needed some time to adapt because he’s a shy guy, but in this neighborhood everyone finds their place because we all consider each other brothers and sisters” , adds Topinho. After having proven himself in the Navetanes, a higher stage is offered to him: the Casa Sport.
In the summer of 2019, Nicolas Jackson was one of the recruits of the Casamance pennant club under the orders of Badara Sarr. The beginnings are difficult. The high level demands and fan expectations seem to weigh on Jackson’s shoulders. According to his former mentor, we heard everywhere, “Neymar nieuw na Casa! Neymar nieuw na Casa! (Neymar came to the Casa)”. The young striker made waste appear and multiplied the losses of ball in match which handicapped his team. But he was not discouraged and continued to work. “Nicolas listened to everyone and respected everyone. Even if he did his stupid things and made us lose because of his mistakes (laughs), he accepted reprimands and rectified because he wanted to succeed, ”recalls Bonaventure Mankabo, former teammate at Casa Sport. His ability to listen and his desire to succeed at the top level pushed him to get closer to his elders at the club. This is the case of Pierre Nzalé, his former roommate. “He came to me all the time and asked me what was good and what was bad. This is how I understood that if he had someone to accompany and guide him, he would go very far, ”explains the former Casa player, currently at ASC Saloum in Kaolack. As the season progresses, despite a few injuries, Nicolas will gain strength and become one of the major assets of coach Badara Sarr’s attacking game, alongside Youssouph Badji (Charleroi SC; Belgium) and Mamadou Lamine Danfa (KF Shkupi ; Fruit salad). He will get his first selection in U20. It is during this 2019/2020 season that the young Nicolas will fly to Villarreal to carry out tests. He will be recruited by the club. After a few months in the B team, Jackson will join Mirandés CD (Spanish D2) on loan. He will play his first match in the jersey of the yellow submarine, on October 3, 2021 once morest Real Bétis (2-0 victory).
“He likes debates and hates being dominated, that’s his main fault…”
His meteoric rise does not surprise his former teammates. “I’m not surprised because he always dreamed of playing at the top level. He believed in his talent,” says Dagarou, a former teammate at Tilene. They describe him as a young man who believed in his star. But behind this hard work and this unfailing desire to succeed, hides a Nicolas who almost fled following the first hours in the professional world. Bonaventure Mankabo remembers his first day of training at Casa Sport. “The pace was so high that he cried at the end of the session and almost gave up saying he didn’t know and mightn’t overcome this intensity. The coach told him to stop complaining and that he will train no matter what (laughs)”, he laughs. This Neymar fan not only has the footballing talents of his idol, he also stood out for the many times he was mowed down in the middle of a race or in the middle of a dribble. “He used to get a lot of tackles, which is normal given his provocative game. But every time we gave him one, he repeated an insult in not very bad Wolof which made everyone laugh because of the Gambian accent. The guys were on purpose to put him on the ground just to hear him say that word (laughs), ”says his former captain. His desire to win at all costs and his rage for victory make him a great debater. “He likes debates and hates being dominated, that’s his main fault,” he adds. Passionate regarding Basketball and Reggae Music, Nicolas is described as a very funny guy. “The photo of Patin (Senegalese comedian) that he puts in each post is because he is his favorite comedian. He is so funny,” says Charles Insali.
Her friends, former teammates and managers all agree that her success has in no way changed the grateful person she is, as evidenced by the gala match organized and the jersey games offered to her former teams in Ziguinchor.
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