Meet Robin Risser, the newest "Bleu"
On the heels of a season that saw his strong play help Lens into the Champions League and win the UNFP award for Goalkeeper of the Year, Robin Risser was selected for the World Cup in North America. Learn more about his story as he gets ready to join Les Bleus for this summer's tournament.
Alsatian roots
Born in Colmar on December 2, 2004, Robin Risser started his football career at FC Bennwihr, then played for SR Colmar, before joining the Racing Mutest Academy, the training center of RC Strasbourg Alsace, in 2017, tracing a purely Alsatian path through the early part of his career. A regularly with the French youth teams, this son of winegrowers signed his first professional contract in September 2021, before he joined the first team as Matz Sels' backup before going on loan for the 2023/24 season.
Faced with stiff competition in Strasbourg, Risser left to seek playing time. In July 2023, he was loaned for a season to Dijon FCO (National), where he established himself as a starter, playing 30 matches. After returning during the offseason, he embarked on another loan, this time moving up a level to Ligue 2 BKT. At the end of November 2024, he discovered the second division with Red Star, going on loan as a medical emergency. He had a great half-season there: in 19 matches played he had just 23 goals conceded, keeping 5 clean sheets, and making a valuable contribution to the club's survival.
Just 19, he was already displaying incredible maturity: as the second-youngest goalkeeper to play in Ligue 2 BKT, behind Ewen Jaouen (USL Dunkerque). He posted a save rate of 74.16% in his 19 appearances, placing him fifth among goalkeepers with at least 15 matches. Furthermore, he conceded a goal for every 3.87 shots on target, a very encouraging performance for a first-year professional.
Robin Risser. What a goalkeeper. 🏆🧤 pic.twitter.com/6Ak6O7Ur59
— Ligue 1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) May 11, 2026
A breakthrough season with Lens
After his strong spells in the lower leagues -- and plenty of appearances for France's youth teams, Risser sought a new challenge and joined an ambitious Lens side for just €3M. With Brice Samba having moved on and Hervé Koffi sent on loan, it was clear that he would be given every opportunity to succeed, something which he did with aplomb, keeping Le Sang et Or nipping at the heels of Paris Saint-Germain until season's end.
After a season in which he helped Lens to the second-best defensive record in the division, despite lengthy injury absences to both Samson Baidoo and Jonathan Gradit, Risser was deservedly shortlisted for Ligue 1 McDonald's Goalkeeper of the Year. He would duly win the award, beating out Dominik Greif, Brice Samba, Mike Penders and Hervé Koffi, but the season would only get sweeter late last week, when he was called up for the national team.
Speaking on hearing the news, the youngster showed a blend of humility and surprise, saying, "It brings me such pride—I can't find the words; it hasn't quite sunk in yet. This was one of my dreams, one of my goals, and tonight, that dream has come true."T
Taking his place ahead of Lucas Chevalier and Alphonse Areola, both of whom have had uneven seasons, Risser's callup has some amount of luck to it, but his play for Lens is also deserving, the result of his preternatural maturity and steady presence. While he may not feature in this summer's tournament, if he can replicate his strong form in next season's Champions League, it's certain that far more football fans around the world will know his name a year from now.
