Footballers’ dreams sometimes come true even without managers and agencies. One such example is the latest signing of Makedonija GjP, who literally begged by camping outside the stadium for two weeks to be given a chance to show what he can do.
The club from Skopje’s Gjorche Petrov settlement, which returned to the top flight, promoted its latest signing – 31-year-old Louis-Mickaël Sylla, who plays in midfield, mostly on the left.
But if you search for information about this player online, you won’t find much, at least not as a footballer. He is an Instagram influencer who, before coming to Gjorche Petrov, tried out for Tirana in neighboring Albania, but without success. He had previously tried out for other clubs, sometimes getting a chance to train, sometimes finding closed doors.
In one hilarious video published by Sylla himself, he is filmed on the stands during a Makedonija GjP match while shouting “Coach, I want to play, let me play, please!”
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The president of the Lions, Kamat Asan, made a public statement, explaining why he decided on such an unusual step. He noted that Sylla will simply be given a chance for his perseverance, but not with a professional contract. For something like that, he will have to show that he can really be a footballer.
One thing is certain: if Sylla fails to win a professional contract with Makedonija GjP, he will at least promote the club on his Instagram account, where he has over 55 thousand followers.
“After the viral videos of a player camping outside our club asking for a chance — and the many messages I’ve received — I decided to reach out personally. As president of FK Makedonija Gjorche Petrov, I spoke directly with LMS aka Louis-Mickaël Sylla. I made it clear: No one signs a contract here just for marketing or media buzz. That would be a lack of respect for all the players who’ve worked hard since childhood to reach professional football. But let’s be honest — Travelling the world alone, with no agent and no guarantees, driven only by a dream… That takes courage. And sometimes, courage deserves a door to open. That’s why I’ve offered LMS a chance. Not a pro contract. Not a shortcut. But a place in the team — to train, live the daily reality of a professional club, and prove he belongs. He now enters a long and demanding journey. There will be no filters, no excuses. Only work, discipline, and truth. And along the way, he’ll discover one thing: professional football is not a fantasy — it’s a job. Because at the end of the day, he’s just like us. Nobody believed in us either — but we followed our dream. And we’re still here.”
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You can follow all summer transfer in the 1.MFL here.
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