Real Madrid's Mali captain takes on African stereotype

Mahamadou Diarra is Mali's captain and by far its most pivotal player. Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images

Mahamadou Diarra may be one of the most important players in the world at the moment. At Real Madrid, he plays the all-important holding midfielder role and is world-renowned for his toughness. But he's also one of the most internationally recognizable stars at the African Cup of Nations.

He's currently captain of a Mali side that now has a good chance of advancing out of a tough group that includes powerhouses Ivory Coast and Nigeria.

He took the time to chat with World Soccer's Sid Lowe on the stereotypes facing African players, his experiences in the ever-present club vs. country debate and Mali's chances to pull a big surprise in Ghana.

World Soccer: Samuel Eto'o, Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, you -- it's time Europe took the African Cup of Nations seriously, isn't it?

Diarra: Yes. There are African players doing great things at some of the most important clubs in Europe and with their countries.

World Soccer: What does it mean for Mali to be at the finals?

Diarra: It's huge for us, especially because we didn't manage to qualify two years ago and it was very hard to qualify for this year's finals. Many of us have had success in Europe, and Malians have taken a great interest in our careers. Because we're doing so well for our clubs, that increases the expectation surrounding the national team.

World Soccer: Does living in Europe make playing for the national team even more significant?

Diarra: Being away definitely increases your sense of identification with the country when it comes to the national team -- all the more so in my case because I left home very young, at just 17 years, four months. I was just discovering my country, becoming an adult, finding out what Mali was, and then I had to leave.

Patriotism is very important for me. I am enormously proud of my country and am determined to play in every match. Everything I do matters to people in Mali, and I feel a great responsibility towards them. When I played in Greece, in Holland and in France, Malians followed my career, and you can't imagine the number of Malian Real Madrid fans there are now. That support drives me. Whichever club I play for, I'm playing for Mali too. That's why I always wear a sweatband in Mali's colors when I play for my club and carry a Mali flag when I celebrate winning a title.

World Soccer: So playing for Mali is a responsibility as well as a pleasure?

Diarra: I've always felt a responsibility towards Mali, and that can weigh on you -- in a good way. Deep down, I like that pressure, I need it: It serves as a source of inspiration. In 2002, Mali made me captain even though I was only 20. Wearing the captain's armband for Mali is like wearing the armband for an entire continent. You have to know how to handle it. But it's what I wanted and it's a challenge I welcome.

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