Jun 19, 2018; Moscow, Russia; Senegal midfielder Ismaila Sarr (18) reacts against Poland in Group H play during the FIFA World Cup 2018 at Spartak Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Groothuis/Witters Sport via USA TODAY Sports

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Who Is Ismaila Sarr, Crystal Palace’s Hero of FA Community Shield Final? All About the Senegalese Footballer

Ismaila Sarr delivered a match-winning performance as Crystal Palace stunned Liverpool to lift the FA Community Shield on Sunday. The Senegalese attacker was instrumental in Palace’s comeback as he first won a penalty after outsmarting Virgil van Dijk. Then, Sarr scored a brilliant second-half equaliser and also calmly converted his spot-kick in the decisive penalty shootout.

With Palace trailing 1-2 in the game, Sarr latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Adam Wharton in the 77th minute of the FA Community Shield final. Sarr fired past Alisson in off the post to level the score. His man-of-the-match display capped off a memorable curtain-raiser for the English football season.

Here’s everything you need to know about Ismaila Sarr, Crystal Palace’s hero of the FA Community Shield Final.

Who Is Ismaila Sarr?

Born on February 25, 1998 in Saint-Louis, Senegal, Ismaila Sarr is a football player who plays for Premier League club Crystal Palace.

Ismaila Sarr’s football journey began at the renowned Generation Foot academy – the same talent factory that produced Sadio Mane. His raw pace, dribbling and fearlessness quickly caught the eye, earning him a move to Ligue 1 side FC Metz in 2016. After a season in France’s top flight, Sarr joined Rennes, where he enjoyed his first taste of silverware, scoring the winning penalty in the 2019 Coupe de France final. That same summer, he made the leap to the Premier League, signing for Watford in a club-record deal.

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Ismaila Sarr’s Premier League Career

At Watford, Sarr became a standout performer, scoring 34 goals and providing 22 assists in 131 appearances. His explosive pace and ability to stretch defences made him a nightmare for opposition full-backs. Following Watford’s relegation, Sarr moved to Marseille in 2023, where he netted five goals in 35 games during a turbulent season that saw the club finish eighth in Ligue 1.

In 2024, he returned to England with Crystal Palace, where he made an immediate impact. Remarkably, the 27-year-old winger featured in all 38 Premier League matches in the 2024/25 season, amassing 2,720 minutes and starting 30 times. He helped the club lift the FA Cup in his debut campaign.

Ismaila Sarr’s Playing Style

Standing at 1.85m (6ft 1in), Sarr combines height and strength with blistering pace, making him one of the most dangerous counter-attacking threats in football. While he primarily plays as a winger on the left side, he is also comfortable operating on the right flank or as a centre-forward.

His dribbling ability, balance under pressure and knack for making diagonal runs in behind the defence are the hallmarks of his game. Comparisons to Sadio Mane are frequent, not only for his style of play but also for their shared journey from Generation Foot to the top levels of European football.

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Ismaila Sarr’s International Career

Sarr made his senior debut for Senegal in 2016 and has since earned 73 caps, the ninth-highest tally in the nation’s history. He has represented Senegal at the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cups. He has also featured in three Africa Cup of Nations tournaments, playing a pivotal role in Senegal’s victorious 2021 campaign.

Ismaila Sarr’s international experience, combined with his club achievements, has established him as one of Africa’s most consistent attacking talents.

Crystal Palace

FA Community Shield Final

Ismaila Sarr

Abhinav Goel

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I am a soccer writer at The PlayOffs, covering everything from match analysis to transfer buzz and tactical deep dives. Ever since I was a kid, soccer has been more than just a sport to me—it’s been an obsession. Playing and watching the game from a young age fueled my passion, eventually leading me into the world of sports media and betting. Now, I get to analyze the sport I love and bring the latest updates to fans worldwide.