Although he is not yet 17 years old, Mezian Mesloub, a midfielder for RC Lens, already displays the qualities of a top European player. He is attracting attention and interest from numerous clubs. For his international career, he has the option to represent Portugal, Algeria, or France.
On Thursday, he showcased all his talent in the world's most prestigious club competition, the UEFA Champions League.
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Son of former Algerian international Walid Mesloub, the young prodigy has been called up to the Portuguese youth teams since 2025, thanks to his maternal roots. France, his country of birth, may also seek to recruit him if he continues on this impressive path. Competition could intensify in the coming years.
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Mezian Mesloub shines in the Champions League
Mezian Mesloub made his professional debut with RC Lens last May, during the 33rd matchday of Ligue 1 against Nantes.
He scored a goal just seconds after coming on, helping his team secure a 1-0 victory and clinch a spot in the Champions League. By the end of the season, he had become vice-champion of France at the age of 16. During the off-season, he was courted by Benfica and PSV Eindhoven but chose to sign a professional contract with his training club.
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On September 10, he played his first Champions League match at the age of 16 years and 306 days. Coming on in the second half against Slavia Prague, he impressed everyone with a remarkable performance, including an assist for his team's equalizer (2-2) at the very end of the match. The Lensois won the match 3-2. “I firmly believe in him,” said his coach, German Dino Toppmöller.
Algeria – France – Portugal: which choice will Mezian Mesloub make?
The number of suitors is expected to grow throughout the season. However, the real competition may unfold in a few years among the three national teams for which he is eligible.
Mezian Mesloub was born in 2010 in Martigues (France), to an Algerian father and a mother of Portuguese descent. The Portuguese have taken an early lead by selecting him for the U16 team in 2025 (3 matches, one goal) and then for the U17 team, where he played five matches and scored once.
However, this choice is not definitive. The career of his father, who represented Algeria seven times between 2010 and 2016, could influence his decision in favor of Algeria. Additionally, the player may be attracted to the French team, one of the best in the world, if the opportunity arises.
In any case, the Algerian Football Federation must act quickly and not wait for the player to reach a level that would allow him to join the French or Portuguese national teams. Furthermore, Algeria's new strategy to attract young talents born in Europe is to “secure” them before they reach the senior category.
