Mahdi Camara hailed a privilege by Habib Beye and Eric Roy before Brest reunion | OneFootball

Rennes linchpin Mahdi Camara returns to Brest on Saturday and arrives as a player both Habib Beye and Eric Roy call a privilege to coach. The 27-year-old has kept close ties with Hugo Magnetti, Kenny Lala and Romain Del Castillo, trading friendly messages before the reunion.

According to L'Équipe, Camara blossomed across three seasons in Finistère, posting 115 matches, 15 goals and 11 assists, and driving the 2023-2024 campaign that ended in Champions League qualification. With no concrete Premier League opening and interest from Nice, he chose a four-year move to Rennes on 13 August for 8 M€, seeking a route back to Europe.

He came off the bench two days later in the 1-0 win over OM on opening weekend. His first start, a 0-4 defeat at Lorient, ended in a sixth-minute red card for a high boot on Dermane Karim and a two-match ban, but from matchday five he has started every game, only twice withdrawn late. Competition in the midfield three around captain Valentin Rongier has centred on Seko Fofana and Djaoui Cissé.

Camara says the system has changed but his brief is similar, to bring intensity and forward runs, with Rennes seeing more of the ball. Beye also highlights his evolution, from an ultra-vertical profile to one taking wider positions to draw out opponents, and his off-ball work that opens spaces for others.

Roy speaks of affection and respect for their three years together, calling him a model professional who lives the job at full tilt. The last time Camara faced a former club, Saint-Étienne on 31 August 2024, he scored in a 4-0 win at the Stade Francis-Le Blé and opted against celebrating. A similar outcome against Brest at 17:00 on Saturday would come with a small pang.

Source: L'Équipe