Mohamed Simakan

Mohamed Sanousy Simakan (born 3 May 2000) is a French professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Saudi Pro League club Al-Nassr.

Early life Born in Marseille to Guinean parents, Simakan acquired French nationality on 7 November 2005, through the collective effect of his mother's naturalization.

Club career

Strasbourg On 16 May 2018, Simakan signed his first professional contract with Strasbourg. He made his professional debut in a 3–1 UEFA Europa League win over Maccabi Haifa on 25 July 2019.

RB Leipzig On 22 March 2021, Simakan agreed to join German club RB Leipzig on a five-year deal for an undisclosed fee, to be effective in the summer of 2021. He made his debut for the club in the First round of the DFB Pokal against SV Sandhausen, which ended in a 4–0 win. He made his Champions League debut on 21 September 2021, in a 2–1 defeat to Club Brugge. Simakan immediately became an important player for the club, taking part in 28 Bundesliga matches, He missed two matches during the season due to the COVID-19 virus. He was also instrumental in the DFB Pokal, where he took part in all the matches on route to Leipzig winning the title.

In his second season with the club, Simaken continued to be an important part of the team, as he played 24 matches in the league, scoring once. On 6 September 2022, he scored his first UEFA Champions League goal in a 4–1 defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk. Simaken participated in 5 matches in the DFB Pokal, where RB Leipzig won the competition for the second straight season, however he was an unused substitute in the final.

On 19 September 2023, he scored the first ever goal of the 2023–24 Champions League season in the 3rd minute of a 3–1 away win over Young Boys.

Al-Nassr

On 2 September 2024, Simakan joined Saudi Pro League runners-up Al-Nassr for €45 million.

International career Thanks to his great performance with Strasbourg in Ligue 1, Simakan was called up by Bernard Diomède to play for France U20 national team. He played his first game as a starter against Slovenia in which he scored a header contributing to his team's 2–2 draw.

Career statistics

Honours RB Leipzig DFB-Pokal: 2021–22, 2022–23 DFL-Supercup: 2023

Al-Nassr Saudi Pro League: 2025–26 AFC Champions League Two runner-up: 2025–26