Metz’s Pape tradition grows as club chase Ligue 1 return

FC Metz have earned an unusual place in Ligue 1 history after becoming the club to field the most players named Pape in a single top flight match, according to Opta.

The statistics specialists say Metz have had four players named Pape on the pitch in a Ligue 1 match, giving the Moselle club a record that is as unusual as it is memorable.

But the connection between Metz and the name Pape goes beyond that single match.

Several players carrying the name have represented the club over the years. Before Pape Moussa Fall, five other players named Pape had already featured for Metz in Ligue 1.

They include Pape Thiaw, Pape Malick Diop, Pape Matar Sarr and Pape Amadou Diallo, while goalkeeper Pape Mamadou Sy has also recently joined the list.

The growing number of players named Pape has given Metz a distinctive link with the name, with the club continuing to add to its collection of players sharing the same first name.

Fall is now the latest Pape associated with the club, although his experience with Metz has so far been limited to Ligue 2.

The forward therefore has a clear objective if he wants to follow the path of his predecessors who played in the French top flight with the club.

Metz will need to return to Ligue 1 for Fall to join that group of players who have represented the club at the highest level of French football.

For now, the club remains in Ligue 2, leaving Fall and his team-mates with the task of pushing for promotion.

The unusual record adds an extra layer to Metz’s history, but the focus for Fall is likely to be much simpler. He needs to help the club climb back into the top flight.

If Metz can secure promotion, the latest Pape could have the opportunity to continue a tradition that has already produced several names in the club’s Ligue 1 history.

For a club that has already produced a record number of Papes in one Ligue 1 match, another return to the top flight could provide the perfect setting for the story to continue.

The question now is whether Fall can help Metz produce the “white smoke” needed for the climb back to Ligue 1.