Pape Matar Sarr may be a Senegal international, but the youngster has revealed that his nickname back home is linked to Brazilian legend, Roberto Carlos.
Spurs snapped up Pape Matar Sarr from French side Metz back in 2021, but before this week he had made just 14 first-team appearances for the Lilywhites, totalling only 466 minutes of game time (Transfermarkt).
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 6: Pape Matar Sarr of Tottenham Hotspur hangs onto the net during the pre-season friendly match between Tottenham Hotspur and Shakhtar Donetsk at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on August 6, 2023 in England. (Photo by Jacques Feeney/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
The assured midfielder struggled to pin down a starting spot under Antonio Conte last year, but that could all be set to change now.
In what little time he has spent on the pitch, Sarr has caught the eye with his composure, ball-playing ability, and high-energy game.
The 20-year-old featured prominently during pre-season for new boss, Ange Postecoglou, and is likely to get more opportunities to impress this coming season, as he did off the bench against Brentford.
Why is Pape Matar Sarr nicknamed Roberto Carlos?
In his latest interview, this time for The Athletic, Sarr has revealed how his impressive long-range shooting helped earn him comparisons to Roberto Carlos as a youngster.
On the origins of the nickname, Sarr said: “[Carlos is] a nickname my uncle gave me when I was a young boy just starting out. He said I had a strong drive and great shot in me and that it was like Roberto Carlos.
“Perhaps I’m not so much known for that now, over time maybe I’ve lost that particular attribute a little bit but when I go to Senegal they still call me Carlos, especially around my [neighbourhood]. If someone called out Pape no one would turn their head.”
Spurs Web Opinion
I remember doing some research on Sarr when we first signed him and seeing plenty of long-range efforts of his finding the back of the net.
He has played deeper for Spurs so far, and obviously was part of a very conservative team last season, but hopefully, he can find some chances to push forward this year under Ange.
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