Djibril Sidibé: ‘My relationship with Damien Comolli is quite special’

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner Djibril Sidibé returned to France this summer after a stint in Greece, eager to reignite his career with Toulouse FC.

After two seasons at AEK Athens, where he won both the domestic cup and league title in 2023, the 32-year-old defender found the experience so different that he lost touch with his surroundings. “I really wanted to come back to Europe,” he admitted.

The French international, who has 18 caps and one goal to his name, received several offers from clubs in France and Italy but was quickly drawn to the project at Toulouse.

“I think the club has really evolved,” he explained. “A few years ago, they were fighting to stay up, but now they’ve taken a step forward by playing in Europe this season, and they want to do it again.”

Toulouse president Damien Comolli, who has strong ties to English football—where Sidibé had a brief spell at Everton during the 2019-20 season—was instrumental in bringing him back.

“My relationship with him is quite special,” Sidibé shared. “He called me personally, and it’s not every day you get a call from a club president. The transfer came together quickly because I felt something special about it.”

An "ever-present appetite"

Sidibé made his Toulouse debut in early July during a friendly against Valladolid at the Stadium de Toulouse. Coming on as a substitute, he received a warm standing ovation from a crowd proud to welcome a FIFA World Cup winner.

“It always makes me happy when people talk about that title; it’s a huge source of pride for me,” he recalled, noting that he only played in the group stage match against Denmark in 2018.

“In football, you always have to reinvent yourself, show what you can do, and prove your worth,” he added, emphasizing that his “appetite is still strong.”

He’s the first player in his thirties to join Toulouse since Comolli took charge and adopted a data-driven recruitment approach. Sidibé laughed, saying, “I assure you, I’m not old and definitely not finished.”

He enjoys his role as the experienced “big brother” among a very young squad. “It’s a role I’m used to,” he said. “I come from a modest background and have always valued the importance of sharing.”

Playing in a three-man defense

Sidibé is versatile enough to play as a wing-back on either side and was utilized in a three-man defense during his first start of the season against Le Havre in mid-September.

According to his coach, Carles Martinez Novell, it was a “success,” coinciding with Toulouse’s first home victory (2-0) since March.

In the previous match at the Stadium against Marseille (1-3), Sidibé had already made an impact by providing an assist for his teammate Shavy Babicka in that same role.

“I’m really happy to have him on the team,” Martinez Novell said. “Everyone knows what a player he is, but he also brings a generous spirit. He contributes a positive mindset to the group.”

As for the future, Sidibé is ready to embrace it. “With ambition,” he assured, arriving at the banks of the Garonne with some exciting ideas in mind. “Why not aim to win the Coupe de France again?”

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