Kalidou Koulibaly: Bio, Career, Summary, Stats, Trophies and News

Kalidou Koulibaly is a rock-solid centre-back marshalling the defence line for Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal and captains the Senegal national team. Koulibaly began his professional club career with French team Metz in 2010, just months before his 18th birthday. He later moved to Belgian club Genk in 2012, winning the Belgian Cup in his first season. He continued his football career with Italian giants Napoli and Premier League outfit Chelsea before signing with Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal in 2023.

As for his international career, Koulibaly was born in France to Senegalese parents, and he was eligible to represent both nations at the international level, having initially played for the France national under-20 team. He made his senior debut for Senegal’s international team in 2015, taking Senegal to the finals of the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and was part of the winning team of the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, beating Egypt in the final. Koulibaly is one of the highest-paid footballers in the world in 2025.

Kalidou Koulibaly Bio

Born on 20 June 1991 in Saint-Dié-des-Vosges, France, Kalidou Koulibaly age is now 34. Kalidou Koulibaly nationality is Senegalese. The player is highly recognised for his leadership and defensive prowess. He spent a large part of his career playing for SSC Napoli, appearing in 317 matches. Kalidou Koulibaly height is 6 ft 5 in. He signed with his current club, Al Hilal, from Chelsea FC with a signing fee of €23 million. Kalidou Koulibaly weight is 89 kg. The Senegalese international is a defensive stalwart in the Senegal National Football Team now. Kalidou Koulibaly biography shows what a crucial asset he is in modern football.

Kalidou Koulibaly Family and Early Life

Kalidou Koulibaly family members were amazed by his talent during his childhood. His mother worked as a cleaner while his father was an employee at a sawmill. Both his parents are African migrants who moved from their ancestral lands in the West African country of Senegal to France in pursuit of better living conditions.

Koulibaly grew up with his younger brother Seoudou. At a young age, Koulibaly blended academics with a passion for sporting interests. He was passionate about football. Koulibaly played for SR Saint-Dié for years 1999-2003 before proceeding to play for FC Metz from 2003-2006.

Kalidou Koulibaly career began at a local club, SR Saint-Dié’s youth team, where he spent two seasons playing in the Championnat de France Amateur 2. He then joined the youth academy of professional club Metz on 1 July 2009. He played for Metz amateur team in the Championnat de France Amateur, appearing in 15 matches as Metz were crowned champions of the league, finishing with 107 points.

Koulibaly made his professional debut on 20 August 2010 in a league match against Vannes. He appeared as a substitute in a 1–0 victory. Following this, Koulibaly became a first-team regular for the side after displacing Nuno Frechaut. On 15 April 2011, he scored his first goal for FC Metz, as they drew 3–3 against Clermont. His Manager Bijotat believed in his calm nature and his ability to analyse matches.

He missed five of his 2011-2012 season matches due to international commitments. Later on, Koulibaly had to serve a two-match suspension due to unprofessional conduct. The Senegalese defender regained his first team spot until getting hit with suspension and injury, which eventually kept him out for the rest of the 2011–12 season. Koulibaly went on to make 23 appearances in all competitions.

Koulibaly joined Belgian club Genk on 29 June 2012 after agreeing to a four-year contract. On 23 August, he made his Genk debut in a UEFA Europa League play-off qualifying round, in which Genk lost to Swiss team Luzern 2–1. He later helped Genk win the 2012–13 Belgian Cup after starting the whole game to beat Cercle Brugge. At the end of the 2012–13 season, Koulibaly went on to make 46 appearances and scored once in all competitions.

In the next season, Koulibaly switched to a centre-back position. Koulibaly kept his place in the first team for the rest of the season. Koulibaly went on to make 46 appearances and scored twice in all competitions.

Koulibaly joined Serie A club Napoli on 2 July 2014 on a five-year contract, for a fee of around £6.5 million. He made his debut on 19 August in a UEFA Champions League play-off round qualifier, in which Napoli drew 1–1 with Athletic Bilbao. In his first season at Napoli, Koulibaly went on to make 39 appearances and score one goal in all competitions.

Before the start of the 2015–16 season, Koulibaly was linked with a move to Premier League side Southampton, but he eventually stayed at the club. He became a regular starter under coach Maurizio Sarri. Koulibaly made 42 appearances in the 2015–16 season in all competitions.

On 17 June 2020, Koulibaly started in the Coppa Italia Final against Juventus; Napoli won the match 4–2 on penalties after a goalless draw. In September 2021, he was named the Serie A Player of the Month.

Next up in his career, Premier League giants Chelsea had their eyes on Koulibaly, who signed a four-year contract with the London club for a fee reported to be in the region of £33 million. On 6 August, he made his Chelsea debut in a 1–0 away league win over Everton. Koulibaly scored his first Chelsea goal in his home debut on 14th August, banging home a powerful volley in a 2–2 home league draw against London rivals Tottenham Hotspur. In 2023, he signed for the current Kalidou Koulibaly club, Al-Hilal, for a fee of around £20 million. The deal was confirmed on 25th June 2023. So far, he has played for the club in more than 90 matches.

Kalidou Koulibaly career summary shows that he had the benefit of choosing to play for either France or Senegal, as he was born and raised in France by Senegalese parents. He played for the French under-20 team starting in 2011 and played six times during the FIFA U-20 World Cup in Colombia.

However, in early September 2015, he changed federations and joined the current Kalidou Koulibaly national team, Senegal, even though he was expecting a call from Les Blues. He later explained that his decision was for the future of Senegal. Koulibaly made his debut on 5 September 2015 in an AFCON qualifier against Namibia in a 2–0 victory. He was a member of the Senegal squad that took part in the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.

In May 2018, he was named in Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In December 2021, he was named in Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon. He was the Captain, and Senegal won against Egypt in the tie-breaker. Koulibaly was named in Senegal’s 23-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. This goal proved decisive in securing the win for Senegal, which ensured that the team progressed to the round of 16.