Teenager Meziane Mesloub makes history as youngest Lens starter in Ligue 1

Meziane Mesloub, the French club Lens' player of Algerian descent, started for his team against Monaco in the French Ligue 1, a match that ended in a 2-1 win for Monaco. At 16 years, 10 months, and 10 days old, Mesloub set a historic record as the youngest Lens player to start a league match in more than six decades.

The French newspaper L'Équipe noted that Meziane, son of former Algerian international Walid Mesloub, has surpassed Kylian Mbappé in what it called "early development." The report highlighted his composed performance against Monaco, along with flashes of skill that suggest significant potential for future growth.

International interest in Mesloub's future

Mesloub is eligible to represent several national teams: Algeria, his father's homeland; France, where he was born; or Portugal, his mother's country. He currently plays for Portugal's under-17 team, while the Algerian Football Federation has begun efforts to persuade him to join the "Greens" in the future.

View the post on X

Mesloub has been dubbed the "new Yamal" by media and fans, due to similarities in playing style with other young stars, particularly as a left-footed right winger, as well as some physical resemblances.