“My parents called me N’golo because it is the name of an ancient king in Mali. A King who started from below to conquer a kingdom. I used to collect garbage before.

“Today i play football and they watch me on TV. My story is also beautiful, i started from below.”—Kante

The football star filled his international break activities by visiting his native town in Bamako, Mali, to visit his family, known for his quiet personality and unmatched work ethic on the pitch, took time away from his professional commitments to spend quality moments with loved ones.

His return was met with excitement and joy, as villagers gathered to welcome their hometown hero.

Despite achieving global success, the former Chelsea and France international has remained grounded, often making personal trips back home to stay connected with his heritage.

Chelsea legend was born and raised in France. He was born in 1991 in Paris, France. But both of his parents have Malian blood, and migrated from Mali to France in the 1980s.