Noah Sadiki and Roméo Lavia face off in the Premier League for the first time

Noah Sadiki and Roméo Lavia face each other for the first time in their careers, fifteen years after meeting in Neerpede. Simon Hamoir, specialist in foreign football, notes that the two players grew up together at Anderlecht.

First meeting in the Premier League

Noah Sadiki said he had a friend in London named Roméo whom he would like to “tease”. After signing with Sunderland during the summer of 2025, he expressed his eagerness to face Chelsea. Roméo Lavia saw his ambition hampered by injuries during his first season in the Premier League. This Sunday, the two midfielders will meet as opponents, almost fifteen years after the start of their friendship.

Career paths and testimonies

Born in 2004, they joined Anderlecht’s academy in U9 during the 2011‑2012 season, with only a few months’ difference. Despite a height difference of about ten centimetres, they immediately got along. Joseph Nonge, U21 international, recalls that Noah was called “Junior” because of his small stature. Benoît Haegeman, coach at Neerpede, explains that he coached Roméo in U15 and then Noah the following year.

In 2019, Roméo Lavia helped Sadiki play in the KDB Cup alongside Mario Stroeykens. The coach at the time commented that Roméo refused to play in a lower category, feeling above the others. Ronald Kabeya, fitness coach, started working with Roméo at 13 and with Noah the following year, highlighting their early and well‑rooted mentality. He adds that he tips his hat more to Noah, who had to show greater mental strength.

Benoît Haegeman admits he would never have bet on Noah when he was often on the bench and played as a right or left full‑back. Ronald Kabeya states that no one would have believed Noah would end up in the Premier League. Noah Sadiki had to reinvent himself to become the defensive midfielder he is at Union Saint‑Gilloise before moving to England. Joseph Nonge, now at Stade Brestois, describes Roméo as more mature and consistent, hampered by injuries at Chelsea but explosive today.

A U15 coach highlighted that Roméo’s path had been more linear and that he was already very strong at the time. A fitness coach stated since the age of 13 that Roméo could play for Real Madrid and, if he maintained his level, could end up in the top 10 of the Ballon d’Or. The text contains the term Discover in the sharing area.

Despite the distance, the two remain close friends who share different values. Their Congolese roots and technical ease in midfield stem from their childhood at Anderlecht.