Christ Inao Oulaï: Ivorian Football Star on the Rise

Revelation of the African Cup of Nations, Christ Inao Oulaï stands out as one of the strong men of the Ivorian selection. Having passed through SC Bastia, the 19-year-old midfielder is attracting the attention of major European clubs. A future financial boon for Sporting?

His first name evokes faith. His football quickly won conviction.
At the African Cup of Nations, Christ Inao Oulaî is making a name for himself on the African continent – ​​and beyond, with the Ivorian selection.

Substitute during the first two matches of the group stage, the former SC Bastia player has since established himself as a starter, or even as one of the key players in the Ivory Coast midfield.

A rise in power symbolized by an individual distinction: elected man of the match during the third meeting of the Elephants against Gabon. Oulaï – only 19 years old – confirms that it is no longer just a promise, but now a certainty.

Courted by several major European clubs, the young midfielder is seeing his popularity rise on the transfer market. A trajectory followed very closely in Bastia by supporters and his former teammates.

At Sporting, those who shared the locker room with Christ Inao Oulaï were never surprised by this rise. Julien Maggiotti, former Turchinu midfielder, remembers precisely the moment when he understood that the young Ivorian was destined for an extraordinary future.

At the first bull, I told everyone: I’ve never seen such a strong player.

Julien Maggiotti, former teammate of Oulaï at SCB

“The first time I saw it, it was crazy“, he says. Arriving from Abidjan, Christ Oulaï then faced a series of difficulties: a training course in the mountains, severe fatigue, then ten days in the hospital after a mosquito bite. “The day after his return to training, at the first bull, I said to everyone: I have never seen such a strong player.“

For Julien Maggiotti, talent is immediately obvious. “On a short exercise, we could already see that he had all the qualities. I knew he would become a great player, in great clubs.”

A potential driven by a rare freedom on the pitch. “He plays without thinking, as if he were entering a stadium to play with his friends. This is what gives it all its qualities.“

A historic supporter of SC Bastia, Jean-Marie Maroselli admits to having sometimes felt a form of frustration when thinking back to the Ivorian’s time in the blue jersey.

“We felt very quickly that he had something more.” Even if he deplores the too rare presence of the player on the field. “At times, we saw him less, as if he was a little underused“, he sighs.

We quickly felt that he had something more.

Jean-Marie Maroselli, historic supporter of the SCB

However, the supporter understands the imperatives which guided the club to separate from Christ Oulaï. “We were told that his sale was vital for the club. In this context, I have no regrets.”

From now on, attention is mainly focused on the future and the potential financial repercussions. “If very large European clubs position themselves, the amounts can quickly climb. And with the percentage kept by Sporting, it could represent a lot for Bastia.“

If the resale percentage fuels a lot of hope among supporters, the financial reality appears more nuanced. The president of SC Bastia, Claude Ferrandi, recalls that the final sum received by the club will be far from being entirely retained.

“On the added value, we have 20%, but a part must be donated to the academy”he explains. Around 40% of this added value is intended for its training academy in Ivory Coast.

This is actually the same percentage as the one applied during its sale last summer to Trabzonspor for 6.45 million eurosalso the second most important transfer in the history of Sporting, after that of another African, the Ghanaian Michael Essien.

This financial arrangement, which arouses astonishment and discontent among supporters, reduces the idea of ​​a future jackpot, even in the event of a very large transfer. “What we receive will also depend on the payment schedule between the clubs. It will not be a sum paid in one go“, also specifies the president.

However, Claude Ferrandi fully assumes the club’s strategy. “Today, football is constrained, particularly financially. This operation allowed us to develop our budget in a complicated period.“

The possible financial windfall would be directed towards training even if the sporting hazard and the current poor situation of the club – bottom of the Ligue 2 championship – could modify the plans.

The goal is to be able to attract and develop other players with the same profile as Christ.

Claude Ferrandi, president of the SCB

“The idea is to improve our infrastructure, our grounds, and to keep part of it to strengthen the workforce. The goal is to be able to attract and develop other players with the same profile as Christ“, concludes Claude Ferrandi.

Because, beyond the athlete, what governs remains the financial equation. No miracle in this regard at Sporting, but the satisfaction of having unearthed a raw talent, hoping that he is not the last chosen one…