He is 17 years, eight months and ten days old and against Gibraltar, Warren Zaire-Emer will write his name in the history books of the French national football team on Saturday 18 November. The young Paris Saint-Germain phenom was immediately announced by coach Didier Deschamps to face Roche’s side in the Euro 2024 qualifiers and will become the youngest player to play for the Blues since the First World War.
Alongside Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Griezmann in midfield, “WZE” takes away Eduardo Kamavinga’s previous record. So Rennes, the Real Madrid player who seriously injured his knee this week and will be out for several months, was 17 years, 9 months and 28 days old when he made his first cap against Croatia on September 8, 2020 (a 4-2 win). The youngest remains Felix Viall, who played against Luxembourg on October 29, 1911 at the age of 17 years, 2 months and 15 days. The football player died at the front in 1915.
Born in 2006 and a precocious phenom – he firmly established himself in Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) midfield despite international competition – Warren Zaire-Emery never stops climbing. Thierry Henry’s protégé, who handed him the Espoy captain’s armband, has been called up to the Blues after some brilliant performances for the club in recent weeks.
A brace of crucial assists against AC Milan in the Champions League followed by goals against Brest and Montpellier in Ligue 1 saw the Montreal (Saint-Saint-Denis) native catch the eye of Didier Deschamps. The Blues boss, not inclined to praise players yet to be called up, nevertheless confirmed at the Ballon d’Or that the environment “glad” Thanks to that “maturity” and “His very high level of performance”. “Even if there is competition for his position, he has all the qualities to establish himself at a very high level.”– he added last week at the press conference. Despite his young age, he has the ability to take responsibility. »
Therefore, before his first international match. Although he has a number of injuries in midfield – notably Aurelien Chuamen and Eduardo Camavinga – the young Parisian earned a ticket for the France-Gibraltar match played in Nice at the Allianz Riviera. And never stops bluffing his coaches and partners. “He’s my little brother’s age, it’s crazy!” Even though I’m not old, it’s getting a little old.”, Kylian Mbappé, who is only 25 years old, had fun at the press conference on Friday. Having witnessed the rise of Titi and now the Blues, the France captain already feels more veteran than Warren Zaire-Emery. “Seeing him doing his homework is stupid!” The guy plays three times a week… he’s charming. »
If he scores with the Blues on Saturday, he will not become the youngest goalscorer in WZE history. Maurice Gastiger, who scored the winning goal against Switzerland in 1914 at the age of 17 years, 5 months and 5 days, is guaranteed to keep the record.
Source: Le Monde
Jason Root is a sports aficionado and a writer at Run Down Bulletin. With a passion for athletic competition and a wealth of knowledge on all things sports, he provides in-depth coverage of the biggest games and events in the world of sports.
