Le Luxembourgeois Brian Madjo lors du premier match de la saison 25/26 avec le FC Metz, ici face au Strasbourgeois Mamadou Sarr. / © AFP
At just 16-years-old, Luxembourg forward Brian Madjo made his first Ligue 1 start for FC Metz on Sunday, though it was Strasbourg who took all three points with a late goal (0-1) in the opening match of the 2025/26 season.
At just 16-years-old, Luxembourg forward Brian Madjo made his first Ligue 1 start for FC Metz on Sunday, though it was Strasbourg who took all three points with a late goal (0-1) in the opening match of the 2025/26 season.
Madjo signed his first professional contract this summer with Metz after impressing in the U17 and U19 squads over the past two years. His coach, Stéphane Le Mignan, handed him a place in the starting XI against RC Strasbourg – a major responsibility and a clear sign of trust in his young striker.
The teenager, who has already earned three senior caps for Luxembourg under Luc Holtz (against Sweden, Switzerland, and Slovenia), drew attention simply by being on the team sheet. Ahead of kick-off, the Saint-Symphorien stadium announcer underlined how he had already attracted interest from major European clubs.
On the pitch, the challenge for Madjo and his teammates against a strong Strasbourg side was evident. Leading the line alone, he showed energy and determination from the outset. In the 14th minute he headed a Tsitaishvili cross wide, and 10 minutes later he was involved in a Metz move that ended in a corner. Shortly afterwards, his movement forced Mamadou Sarr into a foul that earned the defender the first yellow card of the match.
Substituted before the hour mark
Despite his work rate and attempts to unsettle defender Høgsberg, Madjo was unable to create a real chance on goal. Metz’s best first-half opportunity came through Kouao, who broke down the right before firing over.
Given another 15 minutes after the break, Madjo continued to try but struggled to make an impact before being replaced in the 58th minute. From then on, Metz came under increasing pressure, though Strasbourg only truly threatened in the closing stages.
In front of 25,009 spectators, it was Panichelli who finally broke the deadlock in the 86th minute, heading home from a Bakwa cross to seal a 1-0 win for the visitors.
Although Metz slipped to defeat, the match marked a promising beginning for Brian Madjo. His first start in Ligue 1 suggests a bright future, with further opportunities to establish himself as either a starter or an impact substitute in the coming weeks.
