Top goalscorer, still in activity, in the Ligue 1, Mamadou Niang intends to defend his status, but makes the pleasure of playing and the team his priorities.

Always ready to give 100%out on the pitch, Mamadou Niang isn’t one to keep track of his own personal statistics. Perhaps it is because of his atypical career up until now, the Senegalese international has chosen to focus on the pleasure of playing rather than personal considerations.
I twas from a third person that he learned that he was the top L1 goalscorer in activity. «I was quite surprised when I heard the information. I’m never really aware of my statistics, notably that one» he admits, whilst nevertheless appreciating the position. «Of course I’m delighted to have the honour» he states, before adding with as much humility as ever  : «What is most important is that I do my job well out on the pitch.»
84 goals in 228 matches, the record is impressive, even if the Senegalese international is followed closely by two other long term members of the elite, Luyindula (82 goals in 323 matches) and Giuly (79 goals in 322 matches).
«I’m well aware that I will probably be overtaken quite quickly» maintains Niang even though he is, only, 29 and has a number of good years ahead of him. But, he will do his best to defend the throne  : «I’m going to do as much as I can to stay there for as long as possible, but there are some efficient goalscorers in the L1, it will be difficult to stay where I am.»

"Beforehand, I was less lucid and less efficient "

A source of «motivation» rather than «pressure» for him, this new status shows the progression of the centre-forward over the course of the years. Often clumsy at the start of his career, he progressed on a fantastic curve as far as his stats and, especially, his play are concerned.
He has progressed mainly since his arrival at OM in 2005 and was also helped by his time at Strasbourg.
He is quick to recognise the progress accomplished since he discovered the elite in 2000 with Troyes. «It’s true that beforehand, I was less lucid and less efficient , he states, it was also down to the amount of effort I put in, I was far less lucid in the final metres of the pitch. I’ve worked very hard on that and I think that, now, I am a lot more focused and concentrated.»
He concludes with the humility that we know of him  : «But, you can always become better.» Before the match away to Le Mans on Saturday at (19h00), he has already scored 2 goals in four matches this season.