The U21s who have shone in Ligue 1 in 2025
They are barely adults, and they are already terrorising their opponents on Ligue 1 McDonald's pitches. Known for its large number of training centres, the French league has not strayed from its path in 2025, with several players under the age of 21 breaking through. We take a look at the U21s who have stood out during the calendar year.
Mamadou Sarr, already a regular
At only 20 years old, Mamadou Sarr is already one of Liam Rosenior's key men. The Strasbourg vice-captain is an indispensable starter, who played in 31 matches in 2025, all of which came as starts. No U21 player has played more in Ligue 1 McDonald's in 2025.
Another player born in 2005, Guillaume Restes, is just behind the Senegal international, with 30 appearances (30 starts), tied with Warren Zaire-Emery (30 matches, 24 starts).
Among the most used U21 players, there are two notable ones who have broken through early. Both born in 2007, the precocious duo of Ayyoub Bouaddi (Lille) and Kader Meité (Rennes) have played 26 and 25 matches respectively in the league in 2025.
In terms of game time, Sarr is at the top, too. The RCSA defender has played 2724 minutes, the most of any Strasbourg player in that time period. Restes is once again just behind him with 2653 minutes played, but they are accompanied by another player on the podium. A feature of Rennes' defence since the start of February, Jérémy Jacquet has played 2263 minutes, the most of any of Rennes' outfield players in 2025.
Knocking at the door of the top three, Zaire-Emery is not far behind on 2163 minutes. These four players are the only ones to have surpassed the 2000-minute mark among U21 players in the league.
Doué the most decisive
Involved in 12 goals, Désiré Doué is the most decisive U21 player in Ligue 1 McDonald's in 2025. The young Parisian, elected Golden Boy this year, is both the top scorer (seven goals) and the player with the most assists (5).
In terms of goalscorers, the last Best Young Player in Ligue 1 McDonald's is ahead of Lille's Matias Fernandez-Pardo and Rennes' Meité, both of whom have five goals. Like the former, two other players born in 2007 are among the top goalscorers in 2025: Marseille's Robinio Vaz (4 goals) and Angers' Prosper Peter (3 goals).
In the assists category, Doué is ahead of three players. Fernandez-Pardo confirms his status as the second-most decisive U21 player in 2025 with four assists. Another Parisien, Senny Mayulu, has the same total, as does Afonso Moreira (Lyon). The young Lyonnais' performance is worth highlighting, given that he only arrived in Ligue 1 McDonald's over the summer.
Whilst the 2007-born players Meité and Vaz are also among the top assisters, another player has done even better. Born on 24th January 2008, PSG's Ibrahim Mbaye isthe youngest player to feature among the top U21 assisters. He has three, the same number as Lyon's Malick Fofana.
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