It’s a very nice surprise and I thank everyone for coming to welcome me in this way, said young Salif Noah Leintu
Returning to the United States after the good performances of the Mali U17 national team which lifted it to third place at the last World Cup in Indonesia, the young attacker was welcomed as a hero at Washington Dulles airport by Malian nationals came in droves.
The plane of the Moroccan company Royal Air Maroc with young Salif Noah Leintu on board landed on the tarmac of Washington Dulles International Airport, at 6:30 p.m., American time (11:30 p.m. GMT), this Friday 8 December 2023. Several minutes before disembarking from the aircraft, the impressive welcoming committee of the Malian community from Washington, Maryland and Virginia had already taken up position in the airport hall, equipped with posters bearing the image of the player and other gadgets in the colors of Mali.
Released around 6:50 p.m., “little Salif” clearly did not expect to receive this warm crowd. He had difficulty containing his emotion. “ It’s really nice, I wasn’t expecting that. It’s a very nice surprise and I thank everyone for coming to welcome me in this way ,” he confided to Footazimuts.
“A pride for everyone”
Mali created the feat by finishing third at the last FIFA U17 World Cup played from November 10 to December 2, 2023 in Indonesia. Beaten in the semi-finals by France, after having eliminated Mexico in the eighth (5-0) and Morocco in the quarter-finals (1-0), the Aiglons outclassed Argentina (3-0) in the classification match for to win the Bronze medal. A performance welcomed with particular fervor by Malians around the world.
It is in the wake of this celebration that the Malian community of Washington, Maryland and Virginia decided to give a warm welcome to Salif Noah Leintu, one of the heroes of this great expedition, the only player from Soumaïla Coulibaly's group installed in the USA. Dozens of them came to welcome back their prodigy who has just completed a three-month stay with the Malian team.
“ This mobilization was organized by the Malian Community of Washington DC, Maryland and Virginia. We are proud today to have Salif, who is a Washington kid, who played on the under-17 national cadet team that competed in the World Cup. It was a source of pride for everyone, not only for the Malian and Cameroonian communities but also for the entire African diaspora found here. We are all proud of him, that’s why we are all here to welcome him ,” said Abderaman Toure, President of the Malian Community of Washington, Maryland and Virginia. The celebrations continued at his parents' residence in the presence of the internationally renowned Malian artist, Cheick Hamala Diabate.
Courageous decision
Salif was already part of the Aiglons group during the TotalEnergies U17 CAN played from April 29 to May 19, 2023 in Algeria. Mali finished in fourth place at the end of this competition, synonymous with qualification for this World Cup in Indonesia.
Salif and his family
Born in the United States, to a Malian mother and a Cameroonian father (Christian Leintu, Prince Bana), Salif (17 years old) responded favorably to the call of the Mali U17 team. A “courageous” decision welcomed by Malian nationals in the United States, while congratulating his parents who are accompanying him on this adventure. “ This is the first time in history that a child from Mali has left the United States to represent his country in the World Cup, he left his studies to do so. If his parents were not courageous, they were not going to accept him ,” said Kader Tounkara, one of the organizers of the mobilization.
Very happy with this welcome, the resident of Bethesda Soccer Club – BSC promises to continue to work hard to honor the community but also and above all to pursue his ambition of becoming a professional footballer. Adriano, the former Brazilian striker for Inter Milan remains his main source of inspiration and Manchester United, his dream club.
