It is the agreed time . Keita Baldé (8-3-1995, Arbùcies, Cataluña) arrives on time for her telematic appointment with AS.The doorbell of the app that connects us sounds and it appears on our screens. Say hello politely and with a smile, even though the topic at hand here is quite serious. Football, a historic element of social cohesion, breaks the ice. Returns, states of form, his season ... Answers that you will not read in this interview. Today, the ball, the league or the trophies are the least of it. A few weeks ago, the Monaco soccer player decided to help several compatriots who went to work as temporary workers in Lleida and ended up sleeping on the street. Keita discovered the situation and his initiative went viral for different reasons. The problems, the help, the solidarity, the feelings, because this initiative, the role of Serigne and Nogay ... Keita Baldé is explained in AS.
Before this interview, Nogay Ndiaye ( Keita's right-hand man ) told us the whole situation with the seasonal workers and also unpleasant anecdotes, such as difficulties to rent, due to the fact that she was black. How did you feel there when you weren't a footballer?
- This is a thing that happens in many places. Not only in Spain. I rent the apartment to this one and not because it is from here or from there ... This happens and there is no need to hide it. And the Lleida thing is delicate. I wanted to look for solutions and not stand idly by these countrymen of mine who were sleeping on the street. I have called them myself to see what they needed and to see what I could do for them. I could sit down and do a thousand interviews, but I didn't want that. I wanted to give importance to the message. The messenger is me, but the important thing is the message and help.
How do you find out about the problem?
- I found out from Paco León ( actor and director ). I see on social networks a video of Serigne ( the spokesman for the temporary workers ) and I see that this video is going viral. I saw it at home. And I confess that when I saw him two tears fell. I don't remember the last time I cried, but that day I cried. And I took it upon myself to text this person to find out about the situation. I gave him the opportunity to do a live on Instagram to explain himself and that day I said that I was responsible for getting them a roof, food and clothes. Three things. I did not promise to go to the media to say things, I promised to give them what they need. I would do everything possible because I am not God or the President of Spain, but I told them that I was going to do what I could. In the end, the situation went viral. Don't want to help? I am going to try to help you. Today there are more than 100 people housed in Lleida. 80 in two hotels and 15 in a hostel. I have provided them with food and clothing. My friends have gone to my house in Spain to send clothes to Lleida. This in two days is not done because there are processes. Is not easy. We tried to rent a building and everything was in trouble. So we have gone to hotels assuming that we are going to spend some time there and then decide whether to go to the building, although the city council does not help us. I was informed of everything because I did not want to leave it in the hands of others and in this way they would not lie to me.
Is Serigne the one that motivates you?
- I motivate myself as a person to make my little world better. I want people to have hope and desire to fight and to live. I didn't want to make a mess of racism. I want union, because together we are better. The Lleida city council called me and I told them that I do not want problems and I was not going to accuse them of racism. There has been, is and will be racism. I have a seven-month-old son and I fight for less racism. And that is achieved by giving solutions and I have given them in three days and not being at the place of the problem. By phone, emails and messages ...
"I thought it would be easier. I just want your rights to be respected."
Keita Baldé
Have you noticed that facility on the part of the town hall?
- If you pass by the road where these compatriots are sleeping and you go with your eyes covered because you do not see them. There are many people living like this and they don't want to see it. I am fine, I have my life and nobody has forced me. I did it because I wanted to and I spent my money because I wanted to.
You are not obliged to act, but the administration should be in these cases.
- If those who are obligated do not do it, who does it? If we don't do it ... But we can't expect a Keita Baldé in every port. Let everyone assume their responsibilities and do their work. I am a soccer player and my mother is a cook. Let everyone do their own thing and the puzzle is assembled alone. And we were lucky because I found out through social networks and I was able to help. If I help and put it on, more people will see it. And see if another Keita is born. You have to help and be seen to lead by example. It is not the messenger, it is the message. So I didn't want to do interviews because the important thing is help. I have no interest because I want nothing. I just want them to be happy and their rights are respected.
What feelings did you have when you saw that everything was going very slow?
- I thought it would be easier, but in the world we live in I already believe everything. Because the same thing happens to foreign friends of mine. It is sad, but everything happens. When they gave us the houses, he sent clothes or food. We did not stop and now we are with the accommodation. If you don't want to help, nothing happens, but stop helping. Let us help without laying stones along the way. I only ask for that.
Has a politician contacted you locally or nationally?
- The city council has only spoken to me to specify the aid and see the steps to be followed. Internationally, they called me from Senegal to congratulate me and say they were very proud of me. They consider me to be a young man who represents Senegal very well. I always keep it in mind and try to help there and also here in Europe.
Was any athlete interested when you told this whole situation?
- I have been contacted by soccer players, teammates and non-teammates. People from the national team or who had played with me before and wanted to give their help. For example, Pape Kouli Diop, Kalidou Koulibaly, from Napoli, Ibrahima Mbaye, from Bologna, Alfred Gomis ... I am also talking to Sadio Mané. There are people who want to help and write to me. I have contacted the problem, I have not left it in the hands of others. I have seen it with my eyes and I have not sent another person. I want to see it and see what they need. Without being there, obviously, I have people who help me like Nogay or Serigne to manage everything. I am away but I am and I can do other things.
"To say that nothing happens in Europe and that it is only in America is hypocrisy"
Keita Baldé
Why do you prefer this way of acting in front of a charity dinner or some other type of act?
- I want to do it this way because solidarity, with a heart in hand, for these people who now work in the fields is not a one-year problem. It comes from many years ago and we hope that in the future everything will be better prepared and this problem does not arise. I wanted to send this message, at this time when many things are happening, to demonstrate that it is important to be united and that if you want to help, help. We must act and not speak. The time for talking is over. I can't make the video on Instagram and the problem is over. I solve the problem, I speak on Instagram and everyone is happy and content.
- All this has happened in parallel in time with a very powerful new wave of the anti-racist movement following the murder of George Floyd. How have you lived through everything that is happening?
- I've gotten it wrong. That this happens in 2020 is sad. I watch the videos and it gives me goose bumps and I don't cry, because I don't cry, but they are very strong things. There are many years of struggle. The why? I think we grew up in a climate of hate and not of love and peace. I do this because I want my seven-month-old son to have hope and a future. Let him do what he wants: to be a footballer, a singer, a lawyer ... I don't care, I want him to be well, to be happy, to have health and strong values, that he never loses them. If I had lost my values, this would not have happened. I still believe that we are able to help each other and not turn a blind eye to problems. I do it to try to make the world a little better. In the end, this is all out of hatred. I give you an example. We are African and we go to Barcelona. My parents work and I am small and they do not rent an apartment because of my skin color or the country I come from. How does the baby grow? With hate, right? He's going to grow up in anger and he's a boy. You have to generate positive images. We must act so that everything negative becomes positive.
There are several athletes in America but also in Europe such as Kurzawa or Rio Ferdinand who are attending demonstrations against racism. Do you think it's a good initiative?
- It's the best thing that could happen. If I were in Barcelona, I would have been in the front row at the demonstration the other day. One hundred percent. But it is not a question of Keita, footballer and famous ... No, we are all the same. Why did I speak to Serigne? I did not contact him saying I am famous, I am Keita Baldé. I spoke to him as one more and asked him: "Brother, what is the matter?" Now there are no more famous or non-famous. I have seen Michael B. Jordan in America, boxers, footballers, basketball players ... all together. It is not a matter of fame, we are all the same.
Do you think that sometimes it is difficult to empathize more with what is far away than with the problems that are closer to us? For lack of self-criticism perhaps?
- When what happened in the United States happened, some said "Oh, well, but this happens in America. Those things happen there, but not in Europe." This is true? I do not think so. In Europe it happens. It happens in Barcelona, next to my house, in Madrid, in France, in Italy ... Everywhere, let's not be hypocritical. It is a close problem. So, the famous black and well, of all races appear because this is already everyone's business. This is not about blacks against whites. This is about rights. The other day, there were many whites in Barcelona protesting. They are there because they are looking for a better world, that the system helps us, that we are all at one, each with their decent work and fighting for our rights. Don't be stepped on. I repeat, saying that nothing happens in Europe and that it is only in America is hypocrisy.
From your example, how do you think people could help in this type of situation?
- Let them find the ways. Maybe the one next door needs two packages of milk and some sugar and you can go down and buy it. What matters is the gesture and good faith. With my brand of clothing, which I closed, we distributed everything we had to people who needed it. In Ramadan, we also distribute food because at that time food is very important for Muslims. Things like that, come out of yourself.
"Several colleagues have called me to help. Pape Diop, Koulibaly ... I am also talking to Mané"
Keita Baldé
African values and roots
To understand his motivations, it is important to know where he comes from. Of Senegalese father and mother, born in Catalonia, he played in the Barcelona youth academy. Later, he lived in Italy, in Rome and Milan, militating in the inferiors and the first team of Lazio and also in Inter. Now, he lives in the Principality of Monaco, whose team plays in France. Knowing so many cultures enriches until he does not consider himself from here or there, if not "a kid of the world" . Still, his African roots mark him beyond soccer.
Did you come to live in Senegal?
- No. I go when I go with the national team and if we have days off then I stay but I have not lived there.
So how does that identification with Senegal get to the point of wanting to play with them without having lived there?
- I decided to go there for my parents. I wanted to make them feel proud, give everything for the team and be an icon that sets a good example, that of joy and that can help young people to take a good and clean path. I feel very connected to Africa even though I was born in Spain, in Catalonia, played for Barça and then grew up in Italy. I am very proud of these African roots because I believe that they have transmitted very strong values to me.
Do you feel now, with everything that is happening, more proud of having chosen to play with Senegal?
- I was proud before. From the first day I made this decision.
The last one is more momentous, are you happier when you go to bed these last weeks since you know that you are helping?
- I feel better. This and other things I do, what I think I want to do, and then with my friends and family. I feel something inside, so strong, that I sleep well. More than good. I am proud of myself. I can say it. I am a young boy of 25 years. I speak to you as a normal person, not as a footballer. I am normal, when football ends I will be normal and I am still normal. I think I'm a good person and I want to be remembered like this.
