The saga surrounding Nuomory Keita's future is escalating from a transfer intrigue into an open federation competition. After information emerged in December that the 25-year-old receiver had started the procedure for obtaining an Italian passport, France and Turkey officially intervened in the battle. And the latest posts on platform X further fueled the fire.
Polish signal: Turkey is pushing hard
Polish journalist Jakub Balcerzak wrote that the Turkish Volleyball Federation (TVF) has accelerated the process and is showing serious interest in the naturalization of the Mali-born receiver.
According to him, Keita is currently "closer to Italy" – mainly due to his club and recent years in Serie A. But Turkey's financial and organizational capabilities make the outcome unpredictable.
A Turkish profile on X quoted his words and the topic exploded.
Object of desire: Italy, France, Turkey
Keita had an exceptional 2025/2026 season in Serie A and is among the brightest figures in the championship. Last year, he was chosen as the best server and top scorer in the Italian Cup tournament.
He himself publicly clarified:
He has never played an official match for the Mali national team
His participations with the senior team were not in official matches
He has already started the procedure to change federations
Following the latest FIVB decisions, national teams will be able to use a maximum of two naturalized players, which makes such a move even more strategic.
Wave of reactions: fans in Turkey divided
Under the posts on X, an avalanche of comments followed, outlining a serious division among Turkish supporters.
Some fans insist:
that he be recruited at all costs
that "Come to Turkey" be massively written on his profile
that Turkey must invest to win the battle
Some even speculate about the financial parameters and hint at a "bidding war".
Others are strictly against:
insist on investments in youth academies
claim that Turkey has enough outside hitters
emphasize that the problem is with the setters, not the receivers
warn that excessive naturalization kills the motivation of young Turkish players
There were also sharp political and social nuances, including comments on racism in Italy and comparisons with the French national program.
Sports project or bidding war?
The situation around Keita is indicative of the new geopolitics in volleyball:
Italy offers a sports environment and a logical career progression
France – current Olympic authority
Turkey – financial resource and ambition for a quick breakthrough
The question is strategic:
Are federations looking for an immediate effect or long-term sustainability?
Given that FIVB rules limit the number of naturalized players, Keita's choice will not just be a personnel decision, but a positioning of a national project.
What's next?
At this stage, Nuomory Keita has not announced a decision. But with each subsequent publication, the pressure increases.
One thing is certain – volleyball has not been played only on the court for a long time.
The battles are already starting on social media.
