Junior Ndiaye

Junior Ndiaye Billong (Arabic: جونيور ساليف سامبا ندياي بيلونغ; born 29 March 2005) is an Emirati professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Montpellier. Born in the United Arab Emirates, he represented France at international youth level before switching his international allegiance to his country of birth, which he currently represents at both Olympic and senior national levels.

Club career Ndiaye started his youth career with AS Lattoise. He joined the youth academy of Montpellier in 2019. In May 2023, he was elected as the club's best male academy player of the season. He made his professional debut for Montpellier on 7 February 2024 in a 1–4 Coupe de France defeat to Nice.

On 21 May 2025, Ndiaye signed his first professional contract with Montpellier. He scored his first goal for the club on 18 August 2025 in a 2–1 win against Le Mans.

On 28 January 2026, he was loaned by Quevilly-Rouen in Championnat National.

International career In international football, Ndiaye was eligible to represent France through his nationality, the United Arab Emirates through his birthplace, Senegal through his father, and Cameroon through his mother.

Ndiaye has represented France at youth level. In April 2022, he was named in the squad for the 2022 UEFA European Under-17 Championship. He played one match in the tournament as France defeated Netherlands in the final to win their third UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

In August 2024, Ndiaye received his first call-up to the United Arab Emirates national team for FIFA World Cup qualification matches against Qatar and Iran. In March 2025, he was named in the squad for the 2025 WAFF U-23 Championship.

Personal life Ndiaye was born in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in March 2005 and moved to France at the age of seven. he has also maintained connections with members of his French youth generation, including Désiré Doué, with whom he played at junior level.

Career statistics

Honours France U17 UEFA European Under-17 Championship: 2022