CAN 2025: Fàbregas criticizes Assane Diao's selection by SenegalAssane Diao / @x.com/leProjules22/The announcement of Senegal's official squad list for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations did not go ...
CAN 2025: Fàbregas criticizes Assane Diao's selection by Senegal
Assane Diao / @x.com/leProjules22/
The announcement of Senegal's official squad list for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations did not go unnoticed by Italian club Como. The call-up of young striker Assane Diao has sparked a strong reaction within the technical staff.
Included among the 28 players selected to compete in the CAN in Morocco, the 20-year-old forward—who plays for Como—will be absent during what is considered a decisive period in the Serie A season.
This situation did not sit well with Como 1907 head coach Cesc Fàbregas. The Spanish manager openly expressed his frustration at losing his player for such a key stretch.
Assane Diao via Instagram 👀
— Joueurs SN 🇸🇳 (@JoueursSN) December 13, 2025
Quand un joueur choisit son pays avec le coeur il fait tout pour le représenter, peu importe les obstacles devant lui ! 💪🏿🇸🇳 pic.twitter.com/7UR7hdUGuE
Fàbregas criticizes Assane Diao's selection by Senegal
Fàbregas revealed that he had spoken directly with Senegal head coach Pape Thiaw about the player, but that their discussions led nowhere.
During a press conference on the eve of the clash with AS Roma, scheduled for Monday, Fàbregas stated: “I’d rather not go into too much detail. He’s been called up, and I spoke to him after the match against Inter. He knows exactly how I feel.”
He went on to add: “I also spoke with his national coach, but it wasn’t a very pleasant conversation. They have every right. Diao will leave if that’s what he wants.”
Cesc Fabregas se « désolidarise totalement » de la convocation d'Assane Diao avec le Sénégal pour la CAN !
— wiwsport (@wiwsport) December 13, 2025
« J'ai personnellement parlé avec son sélectionneur. Ce n'était pas une conversation très agréable »#wiwsportpic.twitter.com/2smoSGa9S7
Category: General Sports
