After Bouaddi, the FFF risks losing Lens prodigy Mezian Mesloub

After Bouaddi, the French Football Federation (FFF) finds itself faced with the case of Mezian Mesloub, a 16‑year‑old attacking midfielder from RC Lens, already coveted by France, Portugal and Algeria, with Portugal already having an edge thanks to his appearances with the U17s.

Origins and Eligibility

Born in France to an Algerian father and a Portuguese mother, Mezian Mesloub holds triple nationality, making him eligible for the selections of France, Portugal and Algeria. This situation puts the young player at the centre of a competition among three federations eager to secure him from an early age.

International Career and Interest from Selections

Portugal has already put its name on the file; the youngster has worn the Portuguese shirt with the U17s, tallying five caps and one goal in the spring. France and Algeria are also in contention, reminding that the international future of a player of this age is never set in stone.

This case illustrates the need for federations to identify dual‑ or triple‑national youngsters early in order to avoid losing promising talent. Mezian’s performances with RC Lens have considerably raised his profile, especially on the European stage.

His performance in the Champions League against Slavia Prague sparked enthusiasm from Samir Nasri, who said: “His display against Slavia Prague was exceptional, I see similarities with Riyad Mahrez in his movement.” This recognition has heightened interest around the young player.

RC Lens, however, manages his progression with caution. Dino Toppmöller refuses to make him an immediate starter, believing the player still needs to develop physically to endure the full duration of a match at the highest level. The final decision regarding his international selection will therefore remain open as long as no definitive choice has been made.