Ouleymata Sarr Bio
Ouleymata Sarr is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward for the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League and represents the France national team. Born on October 8, 1995, in Cambrai, France, she has built her career across top French clubs and on the international stage. Standing 1.75 m tall, Sarr is known for her pace, movement off the ball, and finishing ability in the final third.
Of Mauritanian descent, Sarr began her career in the youth systems of clubs in Évreux before earning a place in the Paris Saint-Germain senior squad in 2013. Over the following decade, she progressed through French football with stints at Lille, Bordeaux, and Paris FC, before completing a move to the Washington Spirit in June 2023.
Early Life and Background
Ouleymata Sarr was born on October 8, 1995, in Cambrai, in northern France, and grew up in nearby Évreux. She is of Mauritanian descent. As a child, she played football with boys until the age of 13, an experience that helped her develop her technical skills and physical toughness against older and stronger opponents.
After stepping away from the game for two years during her early teens, Sarr returned to organized football and joined the youth setup at ESJM Évreux in 2005. She continued her development at ALM Évreux from 2007 to 2011, before progressing to Évreux FC 27 between 2011 and 2013, where she refined her abilities as a forward and attracted attention from professional clubs.
Path to Soccer
Sarr’s path into professional football began when she joined the Paris Saint-Germain senior team in 2013 at the age of 17. Competing at one of the top clubs in French women’s football provided her with a high-level training environment and the chance to test herself in the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
During her four seasons with PSG, she scored in the 2014–15 UEFA Women’s Champions League against Frankfurt, confirming her ability to perform on the European stage. In 2014, she was called up to the French U-19 team and later featured for the U-20 side at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, where she scored against Costa Rica in the group stage.
Ouleymata Sarr Career
Early Career (2013–2017)
Sarr began her senior career at Paris Saint-Germain in 2013, where she spent four seasons developing as a forward. Playing in Division 1 Féminine and the Champions League, she gained valuable experience against elite opposition and contributed goals in important matches, including her strike against Frankfurt in European competition.
Her time at PSG established her as a reliable attacking option in French football, and it laid the foundation for the next phase of her career. By the end of the 2016–17 season, Sarr had attracted the attention of several clubs looking to strengthen their forward lines.
Lille Era (2017–2019)
Prior to the 2017–18 season, Sarr transferred from PSG to Lille. She announced her arrival at her new club in style, scoring a hat-trick on her debut. The prolific start was a sign of things to come, as Sarr became a central figure in Lille’s attack over the following two seasons.
During the 2018–19 campaign, she scored 17 goals, cementing her reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the French top flight. Her combination of movement, finishing, and work rate made her a consistent match-winner for Lille.
Bordeaux Era (2019–2021)
In 2019, Sarr signed for Bordeaux, joining a club with ambitions to challenge the established powers of French women’s football. Her arrival added experience and a proven goal-scoring threat to the Girondins’ forward line.
Her final season at Bordeaux, 2020–21, was disrupted by injuries, and she was limited to just three matches. Despite the setbacks, her earlier contributions had already established her as a respected forward in the division.
Paris FC Era (2021–2023)
In June 2021, Sarr signed for Paris FC, returning to the capital to continue her career in Division 1 Féminine. She featured regularly for the club and helped maintain a competitive squad in one of Europe’s strongest domestic leagues.
Her time at Paris FC allowed her to remain in the international picture, and she went on to represent France at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. After the 2022–23 season, she completed her contract with the Parisian club.
Washington Spirit Era (2023–Present)
On June 23, 2023, it was announced that Sarr would transfer to the Washington Spirit after her contract with Paris FC expired. On June 30, 2023, the move was made official, and she signed a three-year contract with the Spirit, tying her to the NWSL club through 2026.
The move marked a new chapter in Sarr’s career, bringing her attacking talent to the National Women’s Soccer League. Joining a competitive Washington side, she has continued to contribute as a forward in one of the most watched women’s leagues in the world.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sarr is recognized for her pace, intelligent movement off the ball, and composure in front of goal. Her ability to play across the front line, combined with her experience in both domestic and European competition, makes her a versatile attacking option capable of leading the line or playing off a strike partner.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career highlights, Sarr scored a hat-trick on her Lille debut and netted 17 goals during the 2018–19 season. On the international stage, she scored the opening goal in an 8–0 victory for France against Ghana in October 2017, and she represented France at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and UEFA Women’s Euro 2022.
Ouleymata Sarr Career Wins
While detailed win totals across competitions are not fully verified, Ouleymata Sarr has built a consistent record of goalscoring contributions at every club she has represented. Her standout campaign came at Lille in 2018–19, when she scored 17 goals, and she also made an immediate impact with a hat-trick on her debut for the same club.
Club Highlights
Sarr scored in the 2014–15 UEFA Women’s Champions League during her time at Paris Saint-Germain, marking one of her earliest major European appearances. At Lille, her debut hat-trick and her 17-goal 2018–19 season stand out as defining moments. With the Washington Spirit, she has continued her role as a forward in the NWSL since joining in 2023.
Other Wins and Performances
On the international stage, Sarr represented France at the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, scoring against Costa Rica, and featured for the senior team at UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. She also scored the opening goal in an 8–0 win over Ghana in October 2017 during her early senior international career.
Ouleymata Sarr Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ouleymata Sarr is of Mauritanian descent. She grew up in Évreux, France, where she developed her love of football playing alongside boys before moving into the club system.
Personal Life
Sarr began playing football with boys until the age of 13, after which she stepped away from the sport for two years before resuming her career. She has spent much of her professional life in France and, since 2023, has been based with the Washington Spirit in the United States.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into 2025, Ouleymata Sarr is in the middle of her three-year contract with the Washington Spirit, signed in June 2023. She remains a forward option for the club as it competes in the National Women’s Soccer League, where the team regularly challenges for playoff positions.
Her experience across French and European football, including UEFA Women’s Champions League appearances with Paris Saint-Germain, has given her a strong foundation to perform in the NWSL. Continuing to stay fit and productive will be central to her role within the Spirit’s attacking setup.
With her contract running through 2026, the 2025 season offers Sarr an opportunity to build on her time in Washington, contribute consistently in front of goal, and help her club pursue playoff success in one of the world’s most competitive women’s soccer leagues.