Mohamed Camara (footballer, born January 2000)

**Mohamed Camara** (* 6 January 2000 in Bamako) is a Malian football player.
## Career 
Camara began his career at AS Real Bamako. In January 2018, he moved to Austria to join FC Red Bull Salzburg.  He was  supposed to play for  FC Liefering.

He made his debut for Liefering in the second division in February 2018 against FC Blau-Weiß Linz. He scored his first goal for Liefering in May 2018 in a 3-2 victory against TSV Hartberg. After the loan ended, he joined the Salzburg squad for the 2019/20 season. He made 13 Bundesliga appearances for Salzburg in the 2019/20 season and also played six times for Liefering. With Red Bull Salzburg, he won the double and also made his UEFA Europa League debut that season.

In the 2020/21 season, Camara finally broke through in the Bundesliga and established himself in Salzburg's defensive midfield. He started five Champions League matches, missing only the final group stage game due to a yellow card suspension. His success came to an abrupt end, however, when he was suspended for doping in February 2021. He was allowed to return to action in May 2021. With Salzburg, he won another double. He remained a regular starter in the 2021/22 season, making 25 Bundesliga appearances and playing in all eight Champions League matches. Salzburg once again secured the double.

In August 2022, Camara transferred to AS Monaco, a Ligue 1 club, where he signed a contract until June 2027.  In the summer of 2024, Camara moved to Qatari first division club al-Sadd Sports Club. At the end of the 2024/25 season, he won the Qatari championship with al-Sadd.

## Doping Ban 
In November 2020, Camara and his compatriot Sékou Koïta, who also played for Salzburg, tested positive for doping. According to RB Salzburg, they had received medication for altitude sickness from the Malian team doctor during an international match, which contained a banned substance. As a result, they were suspended for three months in February 2021.

## Anti-Homophobia Campaign 
On the final matchday of the 2023/24 French season, Camara refused to participate in a league-wide campaign against homophobia. He covered the crossed-out word "homophobia" on the team's jersey. He also refused to pose behind a banner for team photos. At the end of May 2024, he was suspended for four matches by the French Football Federation (Fédération Française de Football) for his actions.

## International 
In February 2019, he played for the U-20 team in the Africa Cup of Nations̝, which they won. This victory at the Africa Cup of Nations qualified them for the World Cup later that year, where they were defeated by Italy in the quarterfinals. Camara played in four of Mali's five matches. In September 2019, he made his debut for the U-23 team. In October 2019, Camara made his debut for the senior national team against South Africa. In November 2019, he scored his first goal for Mali in a 2-0 victory against Chad.

## Career statistics
### Club
### International
:''Scores and results list Mali's goal tally first.''

**FC Red Bull Salzburg**
*Austrian Bundesliga:  2020, 2021], 2022
*Austrian Cup: 2020 , 2021, 2022
**al-Sadd Sports Club**
*Qatari championː 2025
### Individual
* Austrian Bundesliga Team of the Year: 2021–22

## References