At 19 years old, Myziane is the new face of the Red and Blacks’ attack. On his shoulders, the hope for the future; in his legs, a desire for the present; and behind him, a supersonic career: a look at the footsteps of our number 26.

Myziane was born in Paris on 14 February 1999, a date which sees couples express their love for each other in honour of St Valentine. However, it’s a completely different saint that the youngster focused on with his first steps. A round saint, which can be shot, cuddled, that speaks without words, is devoured and loved. A saint that made him grow very quickly and leave home very early. It was in Antony, in the outskirts of Paris, that the youngster of Comoros heritage first pulled on his boots. At eight years of age, his family moved to Boulogne, 17km away, and the youngster signed for AC Boulogne Billancourt, one of the biggest amateur clubs in Ile de France (and all of France).

A first move and a first change for a boy described as “incredibly quiet, wary, hard working, a listener and blessed with a strong character” by Gilles Bibé, the current Sporting Director and Head of Recruitment at ACBB. The man who coached the youngster at U11s, then at U12s and has been following him ever since his left for Lyon and has never lost contact. Not with Myziane, nor with his family. “I was talking to his Mum just a while ago, because his younger brother still plays for us, in the first team of the U15s“,  explained the coach, before discussing how the youngster bloomed when leaving his cocoon. “His intrinsic qualities can be seen straight away, but as I often say to parents, the truth at 12 years old is not the same as at 18 or 19. The child can be ahead of the others, but in order to go that bit further, it comes down the a player’s close family and friends. Myziane has good support, particularly from his Mum, who has worked so hard so that her kids could live well and have the chance to play football comfortably.” A "mother hen" who is just as important today for the forward, even when he is away from home. Eight years after arriving, the youngster left Boulogne as a teenager: destination Lyon (partner of ACBB) and the club’s academy.

Gérard Bonneau, (the man who scouted him for Lyon): “A profile like Martial and Rémy”

“I found out that there was an interesting youngster at ACBB, so I asked Patrice Girard, who worked with me, to go and see him. He went there, it didn’t drag on.” At the other end of the phone, Gérard Bonneau didn’t waste any time: “I was on board straight away”, explained the former Head of Recruitment at Lyon’s academy (spending a year and a half with the pros), and now in charge at Servette Genève.

Won over, “the talent hunter”, didn’t take long to attract his target, and saw in him “a Martial or a Rémy: fluid in his runs, intelligent with his movement and blessed with better than average technical skills. Myziane can play in any of the three forward positions, but for me, his future will be through the middle. An area that is always difficult to break into at OL...”

The man continues to watch the explosion of the youngster. A silent explosion. “He is reserved and is incredibly kind, he continued. You would like him to be communicative all of the time, but that’s not his style and at times that can mistakenly be seen as being nonchalant. He is a player that listens, he works hard and prefers to express himself on the pitch.” At Lyon, he rose through the ranks and was soon training with the pros. At the same time, he has been a part of all the French youth sides, and has scored goals for them (16 in 42 appearances).

Malang Sarr: “A friend, a great guy and a great player”

Myziane progressed through seasons with speed and lightness. Signing his first professional contract on 25 May 2016; made his L1 debut on 5 August 2017 (against Strasbourg); tasted Europe on 28 September (against Atalanta); scored his first goal in the top flight on 26 November (against the Gym)… He made a name for himself in a dressing room filled with huge personalities and, in 2017-2018, played in 22 fixtures (in all competitions). But began to lack air to breathe: “He has always been in a rush, even as a youngster, reminds Gilles Bibé. And it got to the stage where he felt the need to pick up game time.” “He needs to be confident, because now he will be able to play games and express himself, added Gérard Bonneau. Nice look like they will rely on him a lot. As long as he plays freely and he listens to his coach’s advice, it will go well...”

In fact, the Gym now boast a player who they have been following “for years”, according to President Rivère. On 13 August 2018, Myziane became a Niçois. ”It’s great to be back with a friend, a great guy, and a great player”, smiled Malang Sarr, his teammate and captain of the national side.

 

“I love his attitude, he works hard, likes to attack the space, is very good in one on ones, breaks into the box and scores, confirmed Patrick Vieira. He hasn’t had the luck that he could have had during these first games with us, but if he continues to work like that, luck will turn at one stage or another. I encourage him to continue on this track because he has real talent.” 

Talent, drive and a desire to pick up pace. Again and again...

C.D.

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