One to Watch: Dayann Methalie, Toulouse's latest home-grown talent

Toulouse have done it again. After Guillaume Restes, Kévin Keben and Shavy Babicka, another academy gem is making waves in Ligue 1. His name is Dayann Methalie — the 19-year-old defender whose fearless runs and boundless energy have electrified the Le Stadium since the opening day.

Originally developed as a centre-back, Methalie has gradually evolved into a dynamic left-sided wing-back, a shift that has allowed him to express his full athletic potential. His tall frame and long stride make him a nightmare to defend against, while his grounding in the club’s demanding academy system has produced a player who blends intensity with intelligence. Over the past two seasons with Toulouse’s U19 and N3 sides, he became a model of the modern full-back: aggressive in duels, disciplined in defence, and always looking to break forward. His efforts have paid off — five starts in the club’s first seven Ligue 1 McDonald's matches this season confirm that he is no longer just a prospect, but a genuine first-team option.

A fearless debut and a rapid rise

Handed his first start by Carles Martínez Novell away to Nice on the opening day, Methalie immediately looked at home in the top flight. “I didn’t feel too much pressure,” he said afterwards. “I just tried to play naturally, to give my best, and it worked.” His coach praised the youngster’s newfound confidence, noting that he had been training with the senior group for months but needed to show more personality — something he has since achieved. That confidence was on full display against Lyon, where his energy and forward thrusts helped turn the tide in Toulouse’s favour.

Methalie’s technical profile is as intriguing as his physical one. Strong yet mobile, he combines power with surprising ease on the ball. He is an assertive dribbler, capable of beating opponents through sudden changes of pace, and a progressive carrier who drives the team up the pitch with long, surging runs. Defensively, he is reliable and combative, often winning his duels both on the ground and in the air. Statistically, he ranks among Ligue 1’s most progressive carriers, averaging 13.7 metres per carry.

Dayann Methalie, le crack du couloir gauche 😈 pic.twitter.com/DSbzpLP1O3
— Ligue 1 McDonald's (@Ligue1) October 13, 2025

Making his mark with Les Bleuets

His early-season form has also been rewarded at international level. Methalie recently earned his first call-up to France’s U21s, joining club teammates Guillaume Restes and Noah Edjouma. He made an immediate impact, scoring twice on his debut against the Faroe Islands and registering an assist against Estonia a few days later — a debut week that confirmed his remarkable progress.

At just 19, Dayann Methalie is still refining aspects of his game, particularly his passing precision and positional awareness. But his potential is undeniable. For a club renowned for giving youth a chance, Methalie perfectly embodies Toulouse’s spirit — fearless, energetic, and unafraid to take responsibility. If he continues at this rate, the “Pitchoun Dragster” could soon be speeding toward a much bigger stage.