History of Ismaïla Sarr in Timeline

Ismaïla Sarr is a Senegalese professional footballer renowned for his abilities as a winger or forward. He currently plays for Crystal Palace in the Premier League and also represents the Senegal national team. Sarr is known for his pace, dribbling skills, and goal-scoring ability, making him a valuable asset to both his club and country. He has also played for Watford and Rennes. He is a key player for Senegal, participating in major international tournaments.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 1998: Ismaïla Sarr's birth

Ismaïla Sarr was born in February 1998. He is a Senegalese professional footballer.

Others born on this day/year

2002: Qualified for the round of 16 for the first time since 2002

In 2022, Sarr helped Senegal qualify for the round of 16 for the first time since its debut in 2002.

2015: Played in Africa U-23 Cup of Nations

In 2015, at the age of 17, Sarr played in the 2015 Africa U-23 Cup of Nations, contributing to Senegal finishing the competition in fourth place.

July 2016: Signed First Professional Contract with Metz

On July 13, 2016, Ismaïla Sarr signed his first professional contract with Metz for five years. He later made his league debut on August 13th against Lille.

September 2016: First match with Senegal national team

In September 2016, Sarr played for the first time with Senegal national team for a match against Namibia in Dakar (2–0) for 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification, for which Senegal had already qualified.

2016: Senior debut for Metz

In 2016, Ismaïla Sarr made his senior debut for Ligue 1 club Metz, after graduating from Génération Foot's youth academy.

2016: Sarr's performance in 2016-17 season

Sarr ended the 2016-17 season with five goals and five assists from 31 league appearances.

January 2017: First international goal

On January 8, 2017, Sarr scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Libya in Stade Municipal de Kintélé, Brazzaville.

February 2017: Scored first Ligue 1 goal

In February 2017, Sarr scored his first Ligue 1 goal in a 2–1 win against Dijon.

July 2017: Signed with Rennes

On July 26, 2017, Sarr signed a four-year contract with Ligue 1 side Rennes for a reported fee of €17 or 20 million.

August 2017: Debut and first goal for Rennes

In August 2017, Sarr debuted for Rennes against Troyes on August 5th and scored his first goal against Toulouse on August 26th.

May 2018: Named in Senegal's squad for 2018 FIFA World Cup

In May 2018, Sarr was named in Senegal's 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. He started all three group matches at the tournament.

September 2018: UEFA Europa League debut and goal

In September 2018, Sarr made his UEFA Europa League debut, scoring the opening goal of a 2–1 against Czech club FK Jablonec on September 20th. This goal was later included on a shortlist of ten for UEFA Goal of the Season.

December 2018: Scored twice against FC Astana

In December 2018, Sarr scored twice, as Rennes clinched qualified for the knockout phase with a 2–0 home win over FC Astana on December 13th.

2018: Represented Senegal at the FIFA World Cup

In 2018, Sarr represented Senegal at the FIFA World Cup.

2018: Injury and surgery announcement

In 2018, Sarr's season was curtailed by a malleolus fracture sustained in a match against Saint-Étienne on September 24th. On September 28th, it was announced that Sarr's injury would require surgery that would prevent him from playing until 2018.

2018: Season end with Rennes qualification for UEFA Europa League

Sarr ended the 2018 season with five goals and five assists from 24 Ligue 1 appearances as Rennes finished in fifth place and qualified for the 2018–19 UEFA Europa League.

January 2019: Scored equalising goal against Brest

On January 6, 2019, Sarr scored the equalising goal in a 2–2 draw with Brest and scored in the subsequent penalty shootout that took the team through to the fourth round of the tournament.

March 2019: Europa League goal against Arsenal and elimination

In March 2019, Sarr scored his fourth Europa League goal of the season from a header against Arsenal in a 3–1 round of 16 first leg win on March 7th. However, on March 14th, Rennes lost the second leg in London 3–0 and were eliminated.

July 2019: Played in Africa Cup of Nations Final

In July 2019, Sarr was part of the Senegal squad that reached the final of the Africa Cup of Nations. He played the full 90 minutes of the final on July 19, 2019, as they lost 1–0 to Algeria.

August 2019: Debut for Watford

In August 2019, Sarr made his debut for Watford as a substitute in a 3–1 Premier League defeat to West Ham United at Vicarage Road on August 24th. He also scored his first goal in English football in an EFL Cup tie against Coventry City.

November 2019: First Premier League goal

In November 2019, Sarr scored his first Premier League goal in a 2–1 loss at Southampton on November 30th.

2019: Represented Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations

In 2019, Sarr represented Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

2019: Won Coupe de France with Rennes

In 2019, Sarr won the Coupe de France with Rennes, scoring the winning penalty in the final.

February 2020: Scored twice against Liverpool

In February 2020, Sarr scored twice and assisted Deeney's third goal in Watford's 3–0 home victory over defending European Champions Liverpool on February 29th, ending their 44-match unbeaten league run.

2020: Winning Watford's Player of the Season

During the 2020–21 season, Sarr scored thirteen goals and provided ten assists, winning Watford's Player of the Season.

April 2021: Scored winning goal against Millwall and won promotion back to the Premier League

In April 2021, Sarr scored the only goal of a 1–0 win over Millwall on April 24th which ensured Watford's promotion back to the Premier League.

2021: Premier League goals and relegation with Watford

In 2021, Sarr started the 2021–22 season by scoring five goals in the opening twelve Premier League matches. However, Sarr struggled with injury for the rest of the season and did not score in his final ten appearances as Watford were relegated for the second time in three seasons.

2021: Named Watford's Player of the Season

In 2021, Sarr was named Watford's Player of the Season.

2021: Won Africa Cup of Nations

In 2021, Sarr won the Africa Cup of Nations with Senegal.

August 2022: Scored goal from own half against West Bromwich Albion

On August 8, 2022, Sarr scored a goal from his own half in a 1–1 draw with West Bromwich Albion at The Hawthorns. The goal was later awarded EFL Championship Goal of the Season.

2022: Represented Senegal at the FIFA World Cup

In 2022, Sarr represented Senegal at the FIFA World Cup.

2022: Played at the 2022 FIFA World Cup

Sarr started all four of Senegal's matches at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He also scored in a 2–1 win over Ecuador that qualified the nation for the round of 16.

July 2023: Joined Marseille

On July 24, 2023, Sarr joined French club Marseille for an undisclosed fee.

December 2023: Named in Senegal's squad for the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations

In December 2023, Sarr was named in Senegal's squad for the postponed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations held in the Ivory Coast. He started all four matches for the team, registering an assist in a 3–0 win over The Gambia and both scoring and assisting once in a 3–1 win over Cameroon.

2023: Performance with Marseille

After an impressive start on his return to France, recording five goal involvements in his first nine matches, Sarr struggled with form and fitness for most of the 2023–24 season. Overall, he registered three goals and three assists from 15 league starts, in addition to two goals and three assists in the club's run to the UEFA Europa League semi-finals.

2023: Departure from Watford

In 2023, Ismaïla Sarr departed Watford and spent a season in France with Marseille.

2023: Represented Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations

In 2023, Sarr represented Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations.

August 2024: Returned to the Premier League with Crystal Palace

On August 1, 2024, Sarr returned to the Premier League, signing for Crystal Palace. He was assigned the number 7 shirt, previously worn by Michael Olise.

2024: Debut for Crystal Palace

Sarr made his debut for Crystal Palace as an 84th minute substitute for Chris Richards in their opening match of the 2024–25 Premier League season, a 2–1 loss at Brentford on August 18th.

May 2025: FA Cup win with Crystal Palace

On May 17, 2025, Sarr played in the FA Cup final and won the FA Cup as Crystal Palace beat Manchester City 1–0 for Crystal Palace's first major trophy.