Ex-BVB defender Coulibaly full of praise for Mats Hummels | OneFootball

Soumaila Coulibaly took to the pitch for Borussia Dortmund exactly twice. Arriving at BVB with much acclaim, the now 22-year-old central defender was unable to establish himself. Since mid-October 2025, he has been playing for Stade Brest.

“Things are going really well,” Coulibaly said happily in an interview with the football portal flashscore. In Brest, he feels “really comfortable.” In the 2024/25 season, Borussia had loaned him to the Bretons for a year. He even played eight times in the Champions League during that period. After returning to the Black and Yellows, Racing Strasbourg signed the former French U20 international for 7.5 million euros. After just three months, he moved again on loan to Brest.

Currently, the “Pirates” are in eleventh place in Ligue 1. Coulibaly is a regular starter and has played six matches since his return—all over the full 90 minutes. “I take every game as it comes, prepare well, and enjoy being on the pitch with my teammates,” says the 22-year-old calmly.

Calmness and composure on the pitch were also traits of Mats Hummels (36). Just a few months ago, the 2014 World Cup winner ended his playing career. Coulibaly admires his former teammate. “He’s a very relaxed, calm guy,” he says about Hummels. He “often gave tips to the younger players.” His assessment is extremely positive: “A really good guy.”

“Learned a lot from the top defenders”

Coulibaly also had famous teammates during his time at Paris Saint-Germain. There, he played in the youth academy but was already training with the stars of the professional squad. “I learned a lot from the top defenders,” the 22-year-old emphasizes. He is convinced: “The clubs have helped me reach this level.”

In Ligue 1, the former Dortmund player is constantly challenged at a high level. Coulibaly compares the league to the Bundesliga. Both are “very demanding if you want to perform.” And he adds: “Gaining experience at different clubs is definitely an advantage. It helps me stay grounded, work hard, and keep moving forward.”

His loan contract runs until summer 2026—with no purchase option. Then, Coulibaly is set to return to Strasbourg.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.