Mezian Mesloub: Introducing the 16-year-old Portugal youth international who secured Champions League football on his debut for Lens [video] | OneFootball

Mesloub made a goalscoring start [Getty Images]

A remarkable story in France this weekend saw Lens guarantee themselves Champions League football thanks to an instant impact from 16-year-old debutant Mezian Mesloub.

Lens hosted Nantes on Friday night seeking a victory to both secure Champions League football and maintain their outside hopes of challenging Paris Saint-Germain for the Ligue 1 title. With the clock ticking towards the final 10 minutes and the scoreline goalless, Lens boss Pierre Sage took a gamble with his final substution.

Mezian Mesloub, a 16-year-old creative midfielder from the academy ranks, was introduced in the 79th minute for his first taste of senior football. Within a minute, a memorable occasion turned into a dream, as Mesloub latched onto a loose ball in the penalty area and with his second touch coolly slotted home to make it 1-0 with what proved the winning goal.

By finding the net at the age of just 16 years and 181 days, Mesloub became the second-youngest to score in the French top flight, after Cyril Cassèse who was a mere nine days younger when he struck for Toulon in 1989. Mesloub’s goal was also the fastest by a substitute in Ligue 1 for 20 years.

The win means Lens are six points off leaders Paris Saint-Germain with two matches remaining, one of which sees them host the champions at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis this midweek. While hopes of competing for the title remain a longshot, the victory over Nantes secured by the club’s latest academy sensation has been a heartwarming story.

Portuguese roots

Mesloub is the son of ex-Algeria international Walid Mesloub, who is a former Lens player. The teenager was born in Martigues, north of Marseille, to a mother of Portuguese descent. Mesloub, whose full name is Mezian Mesloub Soares, owes his Portuguese roots to his maternal grandfather who emigrated to France as a child.

Felizardo Soares settled in France with his Portuguese parents at the age of around 10 in 1969, since when he has pursued his passion as a singer. Felizardo is known to champion his grandson with supportive messages online, and there is evidence that his influence may benefit Portugal longer term.

Mesloub is a full-fledged Portugal youth international, where he has worn the no7 shirt, earning caps for the U16s and U17s across the past year. Previously, the midfielder appeared for France at youth level, but the shift to Portugal may bode well for what could be a tussle between the European sides, with Algeria reportedly not an option considered at present.

Mesloub’s ascent had been anticipated at Lens, who have produced France internationals such as Raphaël Varane. The skilful playmaker made waves in March by scoring twice for Lens U19s in a friendly match against Paris Saint-Germain’s U23 side, with one of the goals particularly eye-catching.

Such progress has seen Mesloub nominated for the Golden Kid award for best under-17 player, a prize created last year to recognise the oustanding players from academies in France. The winner will be announced this month.

“I’m very, very proud. I was very moved when he was called up, and to see him do this afterwards… I wasn’t ready,” father Walid told reporters in the stadium after the match. “I can’t believe it. He’s been rewarded, but there’s a long road ahead, and we’re going to do everything we can to support him.

“Before the game, we were together and I just told him not to be late for the talks! But he’s very diligent about that. What I told him was to seize the moment if he was called upon, to show what he’s capable of.

“He’s exceptional, I don’t think he’s even fully realised it yet. He’s very ambitious, tomorrow he’ll already want to move on to the next stage.”