Rayane Messi
Full name: Rayane Messi Tanfouri
Country: France/Cameroon
Date of birth: 23/05/2007 (17 years old)
Place of birth: Sèvres (France)
Height: 175cm
Youth career: FC Chaville, FC Versailles, Dijon FCO (since 2022)
Current club: Dijon FCO
Squad number: 36
Current national team: France U-17
Position: winger, striker
Preferred foot: right
Market value (by transfermarkt.de): —
Tournaments participated in: 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualification elite round (3/2), 2024 UEFA European Under-17 Championship (3/0)
Contract until: 30.06.2025
Player’s agent: unknown
Transfer rumours: —
Similar type of player: Ademola Lookman/Gervinho
Strengths:
– pace 
– acceleration
– dribbling
– ball control
– agility
– bravery
– athleticism
– flair 
– off-the-ball movement
– crossing
– versatility
To improve:
– extensive passing skills and consistency of his decision-making/might be a bit chaotic and overambitious with dribbling in the final third
Style of play:
– explosive winger/inside forward/mobile striker
– player with a low centre of gravity, fantastic agility, and coordination/strong for his size with superb athletic prowess
– offensive allrounder capable of playing anywhere along the front-line
– could be an interesting option to be converted and play as an attacking wing-back in the future
– electric pace and acceleration
– always tries to find a vertical option in his game, so he is very capable of pushing his team forward to finishing positions
– likes to play a direct style by running straight at defenders at speed
– gets past players with extreme ease thanks to his explosivity, quick feet, and changes of pace
– likes to make effective off-the-ball/shoulder runs to beat the defensive line
– likes to cut inside and enter the opposition’s penalty area whenever possible
– very skillful at beating his markers and evading pressure
– great ball control at top speed
– counter-attacking weapon thanks to his pace and movement
– likes to play quick one-twos with his teammates
– good crossing skills and ability to provide smart cutbacks at full speed
– above-average finishing and mid-range shooting power
– all-action and energetic
– able to dispossess his opponents with ease thanks to his explosiveness and shows some good signs of activity and tenacity in pressing
Messi enters the penalty area, outpaces his opponent with ease, and provides an assist with a superb cutback.
Messi receives the ball in the penalty area, makes a quick feint, and scores with a powerful and precise flat finish.
After a dynamic run on the wing, Messi provides an assist with a good cross.
Heatmap by Wyscout:
He is best suited to playing as:
Left winger in 4-3-3.
Video:
Achievements:
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League summary (as for 30 June 2024):
National 1 2023/2024: 4 game/1 goal (Dijon)
Description:
Rayane Messi joined the Dijon youth academy from Versailles in 2022. He is considered to be one of the most talented players of his generation in France. He made his first team debut on 5 April 2024 in the Championnat National game against Versailles. He scored his first goal just a week later becoming Dijon’s youngest ever scorer at the age of 16 days and 325 days. Rayane is also a regular youth international for France and currently he’s one of the leaders of the U-17 setup.
Quotes:
“Pace, acceleration, ball striking and a lot of maturity in the interpretation of the game.”
(Elie Tharcisius Badiane – Reims scout and Messi’s former coach at Versailles U-11)
Football Talent Scout potential rating:
First team material in a top European league.
Links: