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Former Sierra Leone international Kei Kamara has encouraged young soccer players to pursue their ambitions relentlessly while making the most of every moment in the game.
Speaking during a short interview, Kamara urged aspiring players to set ambitious goals and understand that success requires consistent effort.
“Dream big, kids. Young players, dream big. Everybody always say the cliche: dont let anybody tell you are not gonna make it. Just work hard, you see, my motto is: you can dream it, but you have to wake up to work for it.”
Kamara also encouraged young players to enjoy the process, saying professional careers can pass quickly.
“And while you are doing that, enjoy it, because look at me, I have played for 20 years and I just retired. It is gonna go by really fast. So for the younger players, enjoy what you are doing. Dream big. Be a sponge. Absorb things.”
He reflected on his own career, saying his love for soccer shaped his experience on and off the field.
“I guess everybody that knows me, I enjoyed this game. I loved it, I scored a lot of goals. I celebrated with fans, with people. I hope more players get to do that.”
Kamara’s message comes after a 20-year professional career that established him as one of the most accomplished Sierra Leonean players in modern soccer. Major League Soccer reported that he finished his career with 147 regular-season goals, ranking second on the league’s all-time scoring list. He also made 464 regular-season appearances, third among field players in MLS history.
Born in Kenema, Sierra Leone, Kamara experienced the country’s civil war as a child before leaving for the United States as a teenage refugee. He eventually settled in California, where he developed his soccer career before being selected by the Columbus Crew in the first round of the 2006 MLS SuperDraft.
Kamara went on to represent several MLS clubs, including Columbus Crew, Sporting Kansas City, Houston Dynamo, Colorado Rapids, Minnesota United, New England Revolution, Vancouver Whitecaps, CF Montréal, LAFC, Chicago Fire and FC Cincinnati. His career also included spells with English clubs Middlesbrough and Norwich City and Finland’s HIFK.
At international level, Kamara represented the Sierra Leone national team, the Leone Stars, scoring eight goals in 45 appearances, according to MLS. He also captained Sierra Leone during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
Beyond soccer, Kamara has remained closely connected to Sierra Leone through his Heart Shaped Hands Foundation. Established in 2012, the foundation has supported young people in Sierra Leone through academic scholarships, school resources and soccer equipment, while also using sports to create opportunities for children.
His journey from a young refugee from Sierra Leone to one of MLS’s most prolific goal scorers has made Kamara a prominent example of perseverance and ambition for young footballers.
The advice he now leaves with the next generation is straightforward: dream beyond your circumstances, put in the work and appreciate the journey while it lasts.
