Under the lights of the Vélodrome on Sunday, Adam Mouak will take another unexpected step into Paris Saint-Germain’s senior world. The 17-year-old goalkeeper, included in the travelling squad for Marseille, has become the surprise third choice between the posts at the start of the French season.
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Mouak has been training with PSG’s first team for the past three weeks after 18-year-old Italian goalkeeper Alessandro Longoni suffered a muscle injury. What initially looked like a temporary call-up has continued, placing the Morocco Under-17 international alongside Lucas Chevalier and Matvei Safonov.
For many supporters, Mouak has emerged almost without warning. Yet his connection to the club stretches back more than a decade. He joined PSG’s youth set-up aged six and has never represented another side, progressing through the pre-academy and academy ranks.
The goalkeeper grew up in the Yvelines area around Poissy, Feucherolles and Orgeval, close to PSG’s training campus. His childhood home overlooked land that would later become the club’s training centre. Now, as a final-year school student, he is living the path dreamed of by many local children.
Mouak was a regular for PSG’s national Under-17 team last season and has made two appearances for the Under-19s at the beginning of this campaign. His rise has been swift, although he was not previously viewed as one of the academy’s obvious standout prospects.
Inside the club, however, his recent development has been well regarded. Coaches value his distribution, his ability to judge balls played in behind and his reading of aerial trajectories. One assessment of his progress has been that he has shown “strong development” in recent years.
His height, estimated at around 1.83 metres, has raised questions in an era when elite goalkeepers are often taller. PSG nevertheless believe there may still be physical growth to come; Mouak’s father played basketball.
Known as a straightforward and diligent character, Mouak has settled into the senior dressing room. Goalkeeping coach Nicolas Cousin, who worked with him in the academy, has helped guide him, while fellow academy products such as Senny Mayulu and Quentin Ndjantou provide familiar company. Chevalier, 24, has also offered advice to the young keeper.
Under an academy contract, Mouak is making the most of an opening that may not last. Longoni’s expected return, along with the progress of Arthur Vignaud — the national Under-19 first-choice goalkeeper who signed a professional deal last summer — could send him back to his age group. For now, he remains part of PSG’s matchday picture.
Marseille awaits PSG on Sunday
PSG travel to Marseille on Sunday with Mouak again in the group. At the Vélodrome, the teenage goalkeeper is set to walk out with Safonov and Chevalier, a remarkable moment for a player who has spent his entire football life in Paris colours.
