Comeback stories: When rising stars rediscover their spark in Ligue 1 McDonald's
Ansu Fati arrives in Ligue 1 McDonald’s after a season with limited playing time at Barcelona. At 22 years old, the Spanish phenomenon is looking to revive his career by joining AS Monaco this summer.
Before him, other early talents have taken the same gamble in the past, sometimes with great success. The latest example is Mason Greenwood last summer at Olympique de Marseille. Before Ansu Fati’s arrival at AS Monaco, here’s a look back at the precocious talents who used Ligue 1 McDonald’s to regain their form.
Moïse Kean, a Successful First Pro Season Thanks to PSG
An Italian football diamond (international at 18 under Roberto Mancini in 2018) and Juventus prodigy, Moïse Kean had a mixed experience at Everton under Carlo Ancelotti. Struggling to manage the pressure of precocity that made him the youngest player to wear the Juventus jersey in Serie A (16 years, 8 months, and 21 days), he needed a new challenge at 20.
Wishing to confirm his early talent at the professional level, Kean found a great platform at PSG (recruited by Leonardo), who had just signed Mauro Icardi. Despite strong competition, the striker scored 13 goals in Ligue 1 McDonald’s, 3 in the Champions League, and 1 in the French Cup under Thomas Tuchel. A risky bet that paid off — loaned without purchase option, he left Paris at the end of the season, returning to Juventus and later Fiorentina with a very successful 24/25 season. His PSG loan proved to be a wise choice.
Yoann Gourcuff, Tough in Milan and Mature at Bordeaux
Yoann Gourcuff’s comeback is probably the most spectacular. A Rennes academy gem, he left Brittany at 20 to join AC Milan under Carlo Ancelotti. Among Pirlo, Kaka, Seedorf, and Gattuso, he had a place in the squad but rarely started. After a promising first season, his second year was more difficult.
At nearly 22 and destined for a bright future, the Frenchman who had been part of the 2005 European U19 championship team couldn’t settle for cameo appearances at Milan. Gourcuff moved from being a fringe player to a starter on loan at Bordeaux, who had just parted ways with Micoud. Under Laurent Blanc, he thrived and led the club to the Ligue 1 McDonald’s title in 2009! He was awarded Ligue 1’s Player of the Season and earned his first France national team call-up in summer 2008.
When Mario Balotelli Became “Super Mario” Again
Integrated into Inter Milan’s first team at 17 and an Italian international at 19, Mario Balotelli was one of the most impressive young talents early in his career. Already multi-title winner (Champions League 2010, Premier League 2012, Serie A 2008-2010), the 2010 Golden Boy struggled in two disappointing seasons at AC Milan and Liverpool (only 2 league goals).
In summer 2016, “Super Mario” left the Premier League and Liverpool without regrets to join OGC Nice. The club, 4th in Ligue 1 McDonald’s, took a risk to revive the Italian star known for his off-field antics. Balotelli quickly justified the trust with a brace against Marseille in his debut and finished the season with 15 goals in 23 matches. He scored three more the following season. Nice thus offered a second life to another star, who even returned to the Italian national team in 2018.
Hatem Ben Arfa, A Dream Year at Nice!
Although 28 upon arrival at OGC Nice, Hatem Ben Arfa also took advantage of returning to Ligue 1 McDonald’s, five years after leaving, to rediscover his form. One of France’s greatest precocious talents, he helped the France U17 win the continental title in 2004, was a four-time Ligue 1 champion with Lyon by age 21, and awarded best young player in 2008. After success at Marseille in 2010, he struggled in the Premier League.
Back in Nice under Claude Puel, Ben Arfa shone with 17 goals — some spectacular — helping the club finish 4th and achieving his most accomplished season, attracting PSG’s interest at the end of the season. One season at Nice, but a full year.
Memphis Depay, On the Road with the Gones
In 2010, after the Netherlands were World Cup finalists, Memphis Depay was among the promising youngsters expected to take over. His progression was on track until his move to Manchester United.
Barely a year after moving to the Premier League, he was welcomed as a star at Olympique Lyonnais, thanks in part to the investment to pull him from Manchester United. However, the 22-year-old was struggling at the highest level, rarely used by José Mourinho after a disappointing first season. At PSV, where he turned pro at 17, he had already won the Dutch title and Super Cup, and was a European U17 champion before quickly becoming a senior international and scoring twice at the 2014 World Cup.
At Lyon (63 goals and 45 assists in 139 games), Depay rediscovered his technical and powerful game and his starting spot with the national team, becoming a key player for the club over four and a half seasons (top assister in 20/21). Leading Lyon to the Champions League semifinals in 2020, he caught Barcelona’s attention as they rebuilt.
Renato Sanches, Reborn Golden Boy at LOSC
A Benfica prodigy, Renato Sanches quickly became a Portuguese international and the youngest winner and starter in the 2016 EURO final at 18 years and 328 days. A revelation in that tournament, his rise stalled at Bayern Munich where he joined injured. A loan to Swansea didn’t revive him, and a second Bayern spell saw inconsistent performances.
At 22, Sanches sought confidence and chose LOSC Lille — a risky but successful gamble for the club. The box-to-box midfielder became essential, helping Lille win the 20/21 Ligue 1 McDonald’s title and gain Champions League exposure. After three strong seasons, he joined PSG.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang finally breaking through
One of the best examples of a talent relaunching in France. After spells at Dijon (Ligue 2), Lille, and Monaco, it was at Saint-Étienne that Aubameyang exploded at 22. Having had no real chance at AC Milan’s first team despite clear speed and finishing skills, it was with Christophe Galtier at the Verts that he scored 35 goals in two seasons, opening doors to top European clubs like Dortmund, Arsenal, Barcelona, and Chelsea.
Jean-Clair Todibo, Back at Nice to Erase Two Difficult Years
A Toulouse prodigy, Todibo only needed 10 Ligue 1 McDonald’s appearances at 18 to catch Barcelona’s eye, joining in January 2019 just five months after his debut — a Varane-like trajectory. But he barely played in Catalonia (5 games) and had an unremarkable loan at Schalke 04. At 22, he revived his career at OGC Nice alongside Dante, contributing to one of Ligue 1’s best defenses and earning a France call-up.
Alexander Nübel, Two Full Seasons on the Rocher
Euro U21 runner-up in 2019, the German goalkeeper only played 4 times in 20/21 with Bayern Munich, blocked by Manuel Neuer. At 24, he chose AS Monaco to gain experience, playing all Ligue 1 McDonald’s matches and adding 20 European games over two seasons. This earned him a starting spot at Stuttgart and a 2024 Germany national team call-up (2 caps).
Lassana Diarra, Spectacular Comebacks at OM and with the Blues
A second wind. More than five years after his last France call-up, Lassana Diarra returned to the national team in October 2015 at age 30. A former prodigy from Le Havre, his comeback came thanks to an impressive return to form with Marseille under Rudi Garcia, far from his low point in Russia and away from his Chelsea and Real Madrid years. He was considered one of France’s biggest hopes after winning the Toulon Tournament in 2005 and debuting for France at 22.
Salomon Kalou, a quick comeback at LOSC
After a successful loan of Joe Cole, LOSC sought another star to revive in summer 2012. Free agent after Chelsea, former European champion Salomon Kalou was attracted to Lille’s project alongside compatriot Gervinho.
Almost 27, Kalou had endured a poor Chelsea season (5 goals in all competitions) and needed confidence and goals. Lille gave him this, with 30 Ligue 1 McDonald’s goals over two seasons, helping secure 3rd place in 2013/14 and Champions League qualification. Under René Girard, Kalou played as a striker — his original position — and became the first Lille player to score in the new Decathlon Arena – Pierre Mauroy.
Angel Gomes, The Manchester United Talent Becomes a Dogue
At Manchester United, Gomes set precocity records, becoming the first player born after 2000 to play in the Premier League. Named the club’s best young player and top scorer in 2017, he struggled to break into the senior team, playing little in the Premier League but gaining Champions League experience.
Out of contract, he revived his career at LOSC. After a loan at Boavista. The Englishman has now joined Olympique de Marseille this season.
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