Men's Academy

Mathis Chambon, in the continental version

Published on Tuesday 26 May 2026 at 10:48

A key player on the Montpellier team that reached the Gambardella Cup final, the young defender is now set to compete in the U-17 European Championship, which kicks off this Tuesday for Les Bleuets against Italy (1:30 p.m.). This is an opportunity to get to know a young man for whom talent and hard work go hand in hand with humility.

When we look back on the magnificent run by the young Montpellier players in the Gambardella Cup, the face of young Mathis Chambon often comes to mind: his explosiveness, his determination, his relentless sprints down the right wing…

These fond memories have a sense of déjà vu… that nagging feeling that this player reminds us of someone. You know what I mean? Same position, same build, same grit… But of course, you’ve got it: Ruben Aguilar. “Several MHSC coaches have told me I play just like him,” smiles Mathis Chambon, referring to the player who wowed Montpellier fans between 2017 and 2019. “As for me, I was very young at the time, and I wasn’t really focusing on any one player in particular. Since people have mentioned him to me, I’ve watched his game more closely, and I think I should have looked up to him more because he’s a very good player. In fact, I often watch his games and highlights these days to see our similarities and what I can learn from watching him.”

MHSC is a professional club that didn’t hesitate to give me a chance by inviting me for a tryout—something no other club had ever offered me before

Out of modesty, Mathis Chambon won’t venture to draw any further comparisons. Still, the similarities are real. Except that Mathis wasn’t born in the mountains near Grenoble but in Salon-de-Provence, before growing up in Balaruc-les-Bains, where his mother (a nursing assistant) and his father (an SNCF conductor) had been transferred. It was there, in the Thau basin, that Mathis Chambon kicked his first balls, starting at age 4. Initially a forward, this admirer of Messi and especially Neymar—”Because his technical skill is immense. In tight spaces, he managed to get out of anything, to make insane plays. I was lucky enough to see both of them play at La Mosson; it’s a privilege”—Mathis quickly settled into the role of right fullback.

After spending some time at Pointe-Courte in Sète, he joined the Pailladin club at the age of 8 and a half, in 2017. “MHSC is a professional club that didn’t hesitate to give me a chance by letting me come in for a tryout—something no other club had ever offered me before,” he recalls with deep gratitude. “Joining the Montpellier club also allowed me to stay close to my family, which was very important to me. In my view, having a supportive network is part of maintaining a healthy balance and is key to a successful career. If I hadn’t had that support, I might not be where I am today.”

A man who is both calm and full of character, both off the field and on it, Mathis Chambon is an attacking right-back with the profile of a tenacious and aggressive counter-attacker who loves to push forward. He is also capable of sustaining his effort and delivering quality crosses. “I still need to improve in this area, as in all others,” he notes with self-awareness. “Sometimes I lack focus and make avoidable mistakes. I need to improve my defensive awareness.”

It is an honor to represent one’s country and club on the national team

Still, this sports fan, who enjoys baking in his spare time—“for my family, because I don’t eat them myself to stay in shape,” he notes—and spending time with his family, including playing tennis with his father, is coming off a very successful season. Having made two appearances for the U19s as early as the 2024–2025 season, he spent nearly the entire past season playing at a higher level, resulting in a very promising run in both the League and the Gambardella Cup. “It’s been an extraordinary season,” he acknowledges. “In the league, we might have deserved to finish higher, but that’s just how it goes. As for our run in the Gambardella Cup, it was simply a wonderful experience—both on the field and off it. As for the final we lost against PSG “(2-3), I think that, despite the loss, we played a solid game, giving it our all from the first minute to the last. Of course, we’re disappointed, but we showed what the club stands for.”

Joining the MHSC also allowed me to stay close to my family, which was very important to me. In my view, having a supportive network is part of achieving a healthy work-life balance and is key to a successful career. If I hadn’t had that support, I might not be where I am today.

On a more personal level, his performances have not gone unnoticed by the national team. Having been called up once to the French U16 team in the past, he has since last summer become a full-fledged member of the French U17 team, with which he played the entire qualifying campaign for the upcoming European Championship, including matches against Romania, Azerbaijan, and Israel in the first round, before successfully advancing to the second round against Slovenia, North Macedonia, and then Germany, whom they defeated 2-0.
On Monday morning, the day after the Gambardella Cup final, Mathis was part of the 20-player squad that flew to Estonia for the tournament’s final phase. “It’s an honor to represent my country and my club on the national team,” says Mathis Chambon. “There’s a bit of pressure, too; that’s normal, after all, because I don’t want to let anyone down, starting with my coach and everyone who has supported me. I’m very happy and can’t wait to get there.”

I need to improve my defensive skills

When asked to describe the French U17 team, Mathis describes a squad “with a possession-based style of play, capable of moving the ball forward quickly, and strong on the counterattack and in breaking through the defense.”
“Collectively, the team is fairly experienced since most of the players in the squad have been playing for the national team since the U15 level,” he adds. “As for me, I joined later, but I was made to feel very welcome.”

The French team will face Italy this Tuesday, May 26, followed by Denmark on Friday and Montenegro on Monday, June 1, in the first round. “We played Italy in a friendly recently, and they’re a very good team,” explains Mathis. “We’ll be getting to know Denmark and Montenegro, but the coaching staff will no doubt provide us with detailed analyses on site so we have some points of reference.”

If they finish in the top two, coach José Alcocer’s team will secure a spot in the final four and a semifinal scheduled for Thursday, June 4, or even a final on Sunday, June 7. “On a personal level, I hope to have a great tournament, get the chance to showcase my skills, and prove to the coach that he made the right choice in selecting me,” concludes Mathis Chambon. “As a team, our goal is obviously to win the tournament and lift the trophy at the end. It won’t be easy against football powerhouses like Germany, Spain, and Italy, but I’m confident we have a shot at winning it all.”

As for the final we lost to PSG (2-3), I think that, despite the defeat, we played a solid game and gave it our all from the first minute to the last. Of course, we’re sad, but we showed what the club’s values are all about

A continental title would undoubtedly be the best way to cap off an already very successful season. Mathis could then make an exception to his own rule and, just this once, eat one of his pastries to celebrate…