Biri Biri, the first black player to play for Sevilla.

I came across the Wikipedia page of Biri Biri a couple of weeks ago while I was doing research for an Instagram post. Biri Biri is the best footballer Gambia has ever seen and the first black player to play for Sevilla. Read here, the story of Biri Biri!

Alhaji Momodo Njie (30 March 1948 – 19 July 2020), also known as Biri Biri, was a Gambian right-winger. Before moving to Europe for the first time, Biri played for Black Diamonds, Phontoms and Augustines in Gambia as well as Mighty Blackpool of Sierra Leone. Derby County recognized Biri Biri his talent and let him join the team on a trial in 1970, it didnt work out between the English side and Biri Biri, so he went back to Gambia without an offical appearence for Derby.

Biri Biri came back to Europe in 1972, Denmark was his destination. The Danish club B1901 spotted Biri Biri during a training camp in Gambia and decided to sign the Gambian winger. In 1973, the Spanish club Sevilla signed their first black player, his name? Biri Biri. The African superstar got promoted to the first division in his first season at the club. Biri Biri became fans favourite in the upcoming years because of his great personality and his love for the beautiful game and the club, the fans noticed this. Biri Biri was a family man as well, he often missed games because he was visiting his family in Gambia. Luckily, the Sevilla board allowed this and the connection between Biri Biri and the club became better and better. After five succesful seasons with Sevilla, Biri Biri moved back to Denmark and retired later in 1986 in Gambia.

Biri Biri is a legend for Sevilla, their first black player ever, he was a role model. José Castro (Sevilla´s president) said this after winning the Europa League title last year (2020).

"This is for all Sevilla fans and, particularly, for Antonio Puerta, José Antonio Reyes, Marcelo Campanal and Biri Biri. Because legends never die, and I hope they can hear this strong applause up in the third tier. They heard it." - José Castro

Biri Biri sadly passed away in July 2020.

*text from Sevilla´s official website: ´His coffin was taken to the Arch 22, the memorial where the ceremony was held, by a group of Gambian footballers. Once installed, a Gambian flag was placed on him, as well as a national team shirt with his name on it and a football. Just behind, there was a large photo of Biri-Biri, from the day he received the gold insignia of Sevilla FC on the pitch of the Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan in 2017, as well as the phrase 'Our icon, our hero, our legend'.

The master of ceremonies recounted the successes of Biri-Biri during his career, including his time at Sevilla FC and the mark he left on the fans in Nervion, while hundreds of people passed by to say their last goodbye. Finally it was the turn for the speeches. His brother Bekai Njie, his former team-mate and coach Mass Axi Gai, the president of Wallidan FC, Adama Hala Samba, the president of the Gambia Football Federation, Lamin Kaba Bajo, the mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, the Gambia's minister of Youth and Sports, Hadrammeh Sidibeh, as well as the President of Gambia, Adama Barrow, all had words for Biri.´

´Biri Biri is a real hero in Gambia. This small West African country has turned out for the man who was once described as their best footballer of all time.´ - Sevilla

A special story, the story of Biri Biri. The best Gambian footballer of all time.