How USMNT goal-scoring sensation Folarin Balogun came good at Monaco

After a couple of difficult seasons at AS Monaco, Folarin Balogun has timed his peak to perfection. The centre-forward thrived at the Principality club last season and has taken that form into the FIFA World Cup with the USMNT.

Balogun becomes the main man

Expectations were naturally high when Balogun joined Monaco from Arsenal back in the summer of 2023, partly because of the €30m price-tag, partly due to his exploits the previous season in Ligue 1 McDonald's.

During his season-long loan at Stade de Reims, he netted 22 goals in 39 games. He was hot property and it was Monaco who managed to snap him up. His adaptation, however, was a difficult one, by his own admission.

Unlike at Reims, Balogun wasn't the undisputed main man up front due to the continued presence of Wissam Ben Yedder, who continued to wear the armband for Les Monégasques. A bigger problem was the shift in play style. At Reims, he was accustomed to playing on the counter-attack, driving into open spaces. At Monaco, he frequently came up against low blocks; space was at a premium and he had to adapt to that.

Folarin Balogun, what a baller 🤩🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/8ImAB4jGf8
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) June 13, 2026

His second season brought a separate set of challenges. He began the season well and netted in three consecutive Ligue 1 McDonald's games between the end of September and the start of October. The final of those three goals came against Stade Rennais, but it was also the game in which he suffered a shoulder dislocation. He would be out until the start of December. He was rushed back too quickly and, against Marseille, he suffered a relapse and wouldn't return until the end of March.

Mirallas takes Balogun to new heights

By that point, January signing Mika Biereth, drafted in due to Balogun's injury, had not only constructed a brilliant understanding with Breel Embolo, he also netted 13 goals in just 16 appearances in Ligue 1 McDonald's. Biereth, whose form saw him break into the Denmark national team, was undroppable. Consequently, Balogun would finish the season having played just 16 games in all competitions.

Last summer would prove crucial for Balogun as he got his career back on track and began to justify the price tag. The USMNT forward worked hard, working with a skills coach and alongside Manchester City's Antoine Semenyo. The hard work paid off; not only were his 19 goals in 43 games his best return in a Monaco shirt, but it was also evident that he had worked on improving multiple aspects of his game, namely his link-up play.

Balogun improved further following the arrival of Sébastien Pocognoli. The Belgian manager brought Kevin Mirallas with him as a striker coach, too. Balogun said that the Belgian "gave [him] confidence every day", and the improvement was clear.

A career-changing World Cup?

He added, "My first two seasons at Monaco were difficult, and as soon as the coach (Pocognoli) and Kevin came in, they helped me find a new belief and to find a new understanding of the game, especially in front of goal."

As the season drew to a close, Balogun admitted that it had been the best season of his career. "We played in the Champions League this year, so it was important for me and for my development to be able to do it on a bigger stage," said the American.

A perfect lob by Balogun 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/KWYD9i0nqE
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) April 5, 2026

"My improvements? I think overall, on the ball, off the ball, my understanding of the game," added Balogun.

It meant that he went into a highly anticipated home World Cup with his confidence high. "This is a great opportunity for me to showcase my talent," he said before jetting off to North America. "I'm very excited and it's important to take my club form into the international stage and be a pivotal player [...] if you score a lot of goals in the World Cup and you take your country far in this competition, it can change the direction of your career."

He is doing just that. His three goals in the World Cup have helped guide the USA to a Round of 16 tie against Belgium. At the World Cup, he is showcasing his talent, nurtured at Monaco.

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