Uncapped and in demand: The triple nationality teenager breaking into PSG's first team

Luis Enrique handed PSG youth midfielder Rayan Abo El Nay a first team pre season call up in Paris this week after impressive academy form.

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From Drancy to the capital

Born on 14 May 2007, the 1.80 meter central midfielder first made noise in the lower tiers of French football with JA Drancy. A breakout campaign featuring 14 goals in the French U17 league caught the eyes of elite scouts across the country.

Paris Saint Germain won the race for his signature securing the youngster on a free transfer on 1 July 2024. During his debut 2024 /25 season with PSG’s U19 squad, he registered six goals and an assist in 23 league matches while competing in the UEFA Youth League and Gambardella Cup.

Proving his worth under Luis Enrique

Abo El Nay transitioned to the U23 squad for the 2025 /26 campaign where his consistency earned him a larger role on the continental stage. He featured in nine UEFA Youth League fixtures scoring twice and setting up another goal. Across 50 total matches in Parisian colors, the box to box midfielder has notched eight goals and two assists.

Having already made a senior appearance in French National 2 with Drancy back in 2024, his physical maturity and technical flexibility made him an easy pick for Luis Enrique’s first team summer camp.

A three way international tug-of-war

Off the pitch, Abo El Nay’s rapid rise presents a fascinating international battle. Born in France to an Egyptian father and an Algerian mother, the 19 year old holds three nationalities. Because he has never represented any country at youth level, his international future remains completely uncommitted.

According to reports from French publication L'Équipe, youth scouts from both North African federations have kept close tabs on his development since his Drancy days.

Following in the footsteps of French born stars

Multinational talents emerging from modest Parisian suburbs to command international headlines is a well established tradition.

AC Milan midfielder Ismaël Bennacer navigated a nearly identical path early in his career. Born in Arles to a Moroccan father and Algerian mother, Bennacer developed through modest French setups before earning a move to Arsenal and eventually choosing Algeria over France and Morocco.

Bennacer transformed from an unheralded academy product into the Player of the Tournament at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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