Folarin Balogun finds form for Monaco ahead of World Cup
Folarin Balogun has found form for AS Monaco with the Principality side unbeaten in six Ligue 1 McDonald's matches. Hear more from the American striker about his development and how his striking prowess could be key for the USMNT's hopes ahead of the summer's FIFA World Cup.
A long-awaited solution
It's been no secret that the United States Men's National team has something of a golden generation on its hands. Players like Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie are key figures for Champions League regulars, Tanner Tessmann, Timothy Weah and Mark McKenzie are regulars for top sides in Ligue 1 McDonald's. In the Premier League, Antonee Robinson and Tyler Adams have been key players for Fuham and Bournemouth this season, with both pushing for place in Europe. What the team has lacked since the retirement of Jozy Altidore, though, is a centre forward to act as a focal point.
The USMNT though they had their answer in 2023 when, following a prolific season for Stade de Reims, Balogun (who was also eligible for England), joined the team for the CONCACAF Nations League. With a goal in the final, he looked a natural fit with his blend of pace and physicality. While not the same bullish presence as the burly Altidore, his clever movement and one-touch finishing made him look the perfect focal point for the US. A summer move to an ambitious AS Monaco side was the icing on the cake, and both the Principality side and the USMNT looked like they had their man.
With three goals in his first five matches in Rouge et Blanc, things looked to be off to a good start, but he would score just four more, becoming a somewhat peripheral figure as the club finished second with Wissam Ben Yedder and the emergent Maghnes Akliouche the key players in attack. Last season was also a struggle, albeit for different reasons. After seven matches, Monaco were top of the league, and with Ben Yedder gone, Balogun was leading the line with confidence, having netted in three successive games going into the October break.
However, disaster struck, and a shoulder injury would cost him the better part of five months. With January signing Mika Biereth a sensation following his arrival, Balogun would play just thirteen times in the league, leaving his future for club and country dim indeed.
Balogun and Adingra gave Monaco the win at home 🇺🇸🤝🇨🇮 pic.twitter.com/MevXxEcsPO
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) March 1, 2026
"it's natural that I take on a bigger role"
It would have been easy to imagine Balogun going out on loan, or moving to a less ambitious club, but the American shook off any doubts and knuckled down ahead of the current campaign. Competition would be stiff from both Biereth and the promising George Ilenikhena, but Balogun has been an everpresent. He started every match in the team's Champions League campaign, and no player from a Ligue 1 McDonald's club has scored more than his five goals, with crucial winners coming against Bodo/Glimt and Galatasaray.
In the league, it's been more of the same, with the American netting in each of his side's last two matches as SĂ©bastien Pocognoli's team have won four of five to reinsert themselves into the conversation for European football, if not the Champions League next season. Speaking post-match after Saturday's win over Angers, Balogun underscored that his having approached this season with a more mature mindset has made all the difference in the world.
"This is my third season in Monaco, so it’s natural that I take on a bigger role to try and help the new players who are arriving here. If that means I have to try and help some other players, then I will." He also remarked that despite now having a dozen goals this season, he is far from satisfied. "I feel good, but I’m always focused on trying to improve, so I’m just trying to stay focused on the next game, help the team, and cause problems for the defense."
That tenacity has been instrumental in the American finally looking the player who had been so impressive with Reims three years ago, but with an added dose of maturity integral to helping a young squad improve. With key matches against Paris Saint-Germain, Lyon and Marseille to come before the end of the month, Balogun's intensity and determination could yet go a long way towards defining his side's season.
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