This winter, Olympique de Marseille secured the services of a new center forward. Her name ? Faris Moumbagna. Unknown to the general public, the Cameroonian, who played in Norway, at FK Bodø/Glimt (15 goals in the Elite Series in 2023), must prove himself to convince the Marseille supporters (and managers). And the home match against FC Metz, this Friday evening (9:00 p.m.), opening the 21st day of Ligue 1, should offer him a great opportunity to shine (coming off the bench?).
If the Canebière team spent €8 million last January to recruit him, it is because the 23-year-old striker has a (very) interesting profile. “We talked a lot with Gattuso to say that we needed a striker with these types of characteristics. He is strong in face-to-face duels, for direct play. He can play depth. We have already seen in training what he can bring. It’s a good job by our scouting department,” explained Pablo Longoria about him this Wednesday during his official presentation. The native of Yaoundé, who passed through the United States in particular, also considers himself “good in the air sector”. His three achievements in the Europa Conference League this season, all against Besiktas JK, prove that he is capable of meeting the expectations of the (very) high level. Suffice it to say that he seems to have all the qualities to win in Ligue 1.
Moreover, the Marseille leaders did not hesitate to exfiltrate the disappointment Vitinha to Genoa CFC to make room for him in the rotation; whether as a replacement or complement to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang. Proof that they are counting (a lot) on him for the second part of the season. But its purchase – and the signing of a four and a half year contract, until June 2028 – is also an investment for the future. “We have discussed since November with his agent, whom I thank, and in December we looked at how to do this operation financially. We believe in his characteristics and we followed his journey in Bodo/Glimt. We believed a lot in you [Faris Moumbagna, editor’s note] for the future of the club, we anticipated for this summer,” said the Olympian president at a press conference this Wednesday.
SEE ALSO – Kylian Mbappé’s powerful strike against Stade Brestois in the Coupe de France (3-1)
As with every scorer who arrives at the Canebière – the fantasy of the famous “great striker” – Faris Moumbagna has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. On the one hand, he comes from a “minor” championship and there are (necessarily) fears about his ability to adapt to Ligue 1…and even more to the pressure from Marseille. On the other hand, he has the difficult task of making people forget the failure of Vitinha, loaned with an option to buy in Italy only a year after his purchase for €32 million (!).
But the Cameroonian brushed aside his doubts: “It’s a level that goes up a notch compared to Scandinavia. I have always watched Ligue 1, I know what is expected of me and what I can bring,” he assured. Before adding: “If I wasn’t strong I wouldn’t be at OM. I am mentally strong. It went well with my teammates, with Aubameyang. This will take time. The match against Lyon is in the past, I can’t wait to discover the Vélodrome this Friday against Metz. The appointment is made. Will he respond?
