Kalidou Koulibaly is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Saudi Professional League club Al-Hilal and captains the Senegal national team. Koulibaly is considered one of the best and most complete defenders in the world, his defensive prowess, strength, and speed have earned him the nicknames “K2” and “The Wall” from his fans.Information Guide Nigeria

Club career

Early career

The superstar defender began his career playing for his hometown club SR Saint-Dié’s youth team; he spent two seasons playing for the club’s team in the Championnat de France Amateur 2, before joining the youth academy of professional club Metz on 1 July 2009. However, while Koulibaly was at Metz, he helped the club’s under-19 team win the 2009–10 Coupe Gambardella after the team defeated Sochaux 5–4 on penalties in the final. The player also played for the club’s amateur team in the Championnat de France Amateur appearing in 15 matches as Metz were crowned champions of the league finishing with 107 points.Information Guide Nigeria

Metz

2010–11: Development and breakthrough

Before the start of the 2010–11 season, Koulibaly signed his first professional contract agreeing to a one-year deal. The defender was, subsequently, promoted to the senior team by new manager Dominique Bijotat. There, he made his professional debut on the 20th of August 2010 in a league match against Vannes. Koulibaly appeared as a substitute in a 1–0 victory. After this, the player became a first team regular for the side after dispatching the place from Nuno Frechaut. And on the 15th of April 2011, he scored his first goal for FC Metz, as they drew 3–3 against Clermont.Information Guide Nigeria

Genk

2012–13: Belgian Cup

Again, Koulibaly joined Belgian club Genk on the 29th of June 2012 after agreeing a four-year contract. Among interested parties was Anderlecht but Genk won the race to sign him.Information Guide Nigeria

On the 23rd of August 2012, the defender made his Genk debut in a UEFA Europa League play-off qualifying round, in which they were defeated by Swiss team Luzern 2–1 in the first leg of two. The Senegalese later helped Genk win the 2012–13 Belgian Cup after starting the whole game to beat Cercle Brugge.Information Guide Nigeria

Napoli

2014–15: Debut campaign

The Senegalese international joined Serie A club S.S.C. Napoli on the 2nd of July 2014 on a five-year contract, for a fee around £6.5 million.

Koulibaly made his debut on 19 August 2014 in a UEFA Champions League play-off round qualifier, in which Napoli drew 1–1 with Athletic Bilbao. However, Napoli went on to lose the second leg 3–1, thus sending them out of the competition.

Koulibaly made his Serie A debut in the opening game of the season against Genoa, playing the whole match as Napoli won 2–1. The defender scored his first goal for the side on 24 September in a 3–3 draw with Palermo. He played in every match from the start of the season, before being sent off for a second bookable offence in a 1–1 draw against Sampdoria on the 1st of December 2014.NYSC Portal

2019–20: Coppa Italia

On the 17th of June 2020, Koulibaly started in the Coppa Italia Final against Juventus; Napoli won the match 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw. The Senegalese has on a number of occasions talked about his desire to retire at Napoli, and that a departure would only occur due to an economic decision made by the club.

Chelsea

On the 13th of July 2022, it was reported that Koulibaly signed for Chelsea on a five years deal.

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International career

Koulibaly was born and raised in France by Senegalese parents, and was therefore eligible for both nations. He played for the French under-20 team starting in 2011 and played six times during the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.NYSC Portal

In early September 2015, the defender changed federations and joined the Senegal national football team, despite the interest to call him for Les Bleus from Didier Deschamps. The defender later explained his decision, saying: “I don’t have any regrets because I want to write the story of the future of Senegal football and I hope I’ll be able to do that.” The 31-year old made his debut on 5 September 2015 in an AFCON qualifier against Namibia in a 2–0 victory. As a matter of fact, he was a member of the Senegal squad that took part at the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

In the month of January 2022, Koulibaly was named in Senegal’s 23-man Squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of 2021 Africa Cup Nations in Cameroon, as captain, winning it and helping his National in Final scoring the first penalty against Egypt (0-0, 4-2 after penalty shootout).NYSC Portal

Koulibaly’s Net Worth

Report from italia has it that his recent salary is around €175,000 EUR. Koulibaly is an international professional Senegalese footballer who has a net worth of $12,485,529.00 USD. Introduction Paragraph 2: Forbes report has it that his net worth is estimated to be around $3 million which includes bonuses from previous years as well as his advertising deals with brands such as Nike and Adidas.

Koulibaly’s Salary

The report also has it that Kalidou Koulibaly earns £183,000 per week, £9,516,000 per year playing for Napoli as a DC. Again, it is believed that the defender will pen a five-year contract at the club and become a high-earner at Stamford Bridge. Fabrizio Romano claims that Koulibaly will earn a €10million (£8.3m) net salary in west LondonNYSC Portal

Honours

Genk

Belgian Cup: 2012–13

Napoli

Coppa Italia: 2019–20

Supercoppa Italiana: 2014

Senegal

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

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 2021NYSC Portal

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

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