Quentin Merlin's journey to stardom began in August 2021 when, at just 19 years old, he made his debut for Nantes against Monaco. Although he started with a few substitute appearances, he quickly caught the attention of his coach, and the rest is history.

"I made five appearances off the bench before making my first start," Merlin said. "I only got a few minutes here and there, but I paid great attention to the advice from my teammates and my coach. Then I jumped at an opportunity! We needed someone to fill in at left-back, so I started there because I was young and left-footed. The coach liked what he saw, so when the following weekend we went to the Parc des Princes to face PSG, I came on at the hour mark, to take on Messi and everybody, and it went well! I got an assist and played well! After that, I held down a starting spot! It all went quite quickly."

Merlin's rapid progression didn't stop there. He scored his first professional goal in a memorable match against Monaco, leaving an indelible mark on his journey.

"I didn't necessarily aim for the top corner; it was beginner's luck, it got crazily lucky! But it was unforgettable, that moment will stay with me forever!"

Mentors and Support

Quentin Merlin is quick to acknowledge the invaluable support and guidance he has received on his journey. Veteran defender Nicolas Pallois played a significant role, acting as a mentor and providing advice.

"He was the last player to come and congratulate me, we high-fived and shared a smile," Merlin recalled. "He's like a father to me. He's always giving me advice and has been there to help calm me down because, of course, being young, I can get carried away, but he has always got me back on track, always been there for me. He helped me a lot in my early career."

Merlin also praises coach Pierre Aristouy, who played a crucial role in turning Nantes' fortunes around. Aristouy's tactical acumen and the strong bond he shares with his players have brought about a resurgence for the club.

"I'm happy to have him as my first-team coach now; he deserves it! He's doing a great job, he's got the support of the group, and when it comes to tactics, he's getting it right. It makes us want to give everything we can," Merlin said.

A Bright Future

With Merlin's dynamic presence on the left and Aristouy's tactical prowess, Nantes are no longer seen as a relegation candidate. The young home-grown talent is determined to take his game to the next level.

"I want to work harder defensively because I still have issues," Merlin admitted. "I'm not the best defender, and going forwards, I need to give the ball away a lot less given my technical qualities as a former midfielder, but most of all, I want to remain humble and continue performing to help this group progress!"

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