Mamadou Doumbia (footballer, born 2006)

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Mamadou Doumbia
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-02-18) 18 February 2006 (age 19)
Place of birth Mali
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position(s) Forward
Team information
Current team
Watford
Number 20
Youth career
AS Black Stars
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2024– Watford 9 (0)
International career
2023 Mali U17 9 (8)
2024– Mali 4 (1)
Medal record
Men's football
Representing Flag of Mali.svg  Mali
FIFA U-17 World Cup
Bronze medal icon.svg 2023 Indonesia
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 February 2025
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 19 November 2024

Mamadou Doumbia (born 18 February 2006) is a Malian professional footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Watford [1] and the Mali national team. [2]

Contents

Club career

Doumbia signed for English club Watford in February 2024, on a six-year contract, and officially joined on 1 July 2024. [3] Doumbia made his senior debut on August 13 2024, coming on as a substitute for Mileta Rajović in a 5–0 EFL Cup victory over Milton Keynes Dons. [4]

International career

Youth

U-17 Africa Cup of Nations

In the 2023 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations Doumbia played Mali's first game, 1 May, in a 1–0 win over Burkina Faso scoring the only goal. He went on to score in four consecutive games as his team progressed to the semi-final in which they lost on penalties to Morocco. Following his performance, he was named in the best XI squad for the tournament [5] and finished as the second-highest top goalscorer. [6]

U-17 World Cup

In November 2023, Mamadou Doumbia was selected to take part in the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup. He scored a hat-trick for Mali in their opening game against Uzbekistan earning the player of the match award. [7] [8] Mali reached the semi-final where they lost to France 2–1 and in the third place play-off, Doumbia scored the second goal in a 3–0 win over Argentina granting Mali a third finish in the tournament. [9]

Senior

Doumbia made his international debut for Mali at 18 years old in a 2–0 win against Nigeria in a friendly on the 26 March 2024, coming on as a substitute in additional time. [10]

On 19 November 2024, Doumbia scored his first senior international goal in the 89th minute against Eswatini in a 6-0 score line during a 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match. [11]

Style of play

Doumbia is a modern target man praised for his instinct, movement, and composure. He excels in linking play, making powerful runs, and maintaining possession with his strength and technique. His teammate Ange Martial Tia compared him to Erling Haaland, noting his versatility and effectiveness both in the air and on the ground. [12]

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 15 February 2025
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeague FA Cup League Cup OtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Watford 2024–25 EFL Championship 90102000120
Career total90102000120

    International

    As of match played 19 November 2024 [10]
    Appearances and goals by national team and year
    National teamYearAppsGoals
    Mali 202441
    Total41
    Scores and results list Mali's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Doumbia goal.
    List of international goals scored by Mamadou Doumbia
    No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
    119 November 2024 Stade du 26 Mars, Bamako, MaliFlag of Eswatini.svg  Eswatini 6–06–0 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualification

    Honours

    Mali U17

    References

    1. "Doumbia To Join Hornets". Watford FC. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
    2. "Mali Coach Unveils 28-man Squad For Super Eagles Friendly". Leadership News. 28 March 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
    3. "Watford sign Mali striker Doumbia on six-year deal". BBC Sport. 20 February 2024.
    4. "Watford 5-0 MK Dons". Watford FC. 13 August 2024.
    5. "Senegal's dominance shines in TotalEnergies U17 AFCON Best XI" via cafonline.com.
    6. 1 2 "TotalEnergies U-17 Africa Cup of Nations".
    7. Mondial U17 : le Mali étrille l’Ouzbékistan, Doumbia voit triple
    8. "Hat-trick hero Doumbia hailed as Mali hit the heights" via cafonline.com.
    9. 1 2 "FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023".
    10. 1 2 "2-0 Nigeria (26, March 2024)" via espn.co.uk.
    11. "Mali vs Eswatini: Africa Cup of Nations Qualification". BBC Sport. 19 November 2024.
    12. "Young African striker signs six-year contract with Watford". Watford Observer. 19 February 2024. Retrieved 28 May 2024.